§ Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what replies have been received to the representations made to the United States civil aviation authorities and to the State Department, respectively, regarding the failure to issue to British Overseas Airways Corporation an operating permit covering the trans-Pacific stage of their round-the-world air service.
§ Mr. WatkinsonIt would not be appropriate for Her Majesty's Government to make direct representations to the Civil Aeronautics Board. The State Department have expressed their regret at the delay and have assured us that in their view the Air Services Agreement entitles B.O.A.C. to operate its new trans-Pacific route. They have explained that, while they have no powers to direct the Board to issue a permit, the Board is doing everything possible, within the limits of its authorised procedures, to expedite a decision. As regards the recent recommendation by the Board's Examiner that B.O.A.C.'s application for the inclusion 125W of Tokyo in the route should be denied, the State Department have told us that they recognise the seriousness of the position but have emphasised that this is only a recommendation.