§ Mr. Gerald Howarthasked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have taken place recently between his Department and Philippine Airlines concerning his decision last year to terminate the three-year-old reciprocal agreement on landing rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when next negotiations will continue between his Department and Philippine Airlines on the Government's decision concerning permit CAIR/PR/5; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what reasons were given to the Philippine Government for his decision to cancel the air agreement that allowed Philippine Airlines to operate three flights per week between Manila and London.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerUnder article 13 of the United Kingdom-Philippines air services agreement of 13 January 1955, there is no requirement to give reasons with a notice of termination. The notice of termination was the result of a disagreement about the number of frequencies required to meet demand consistently with fair competition on the route between the United Kingdom and the Philippines.
Representatives of the British and Philippines aeronautical authorities met in May to discuss future arrangements for scheduled services between their two countries. They asked their respective airlines to discuss future needs on the London-Manila and Hong Kong-Manila routes and to report their conclusions before Government consultations resume in July.
I hope that the consultations will lead to a resolution of the existing dispute and that new arrangements will be made for the continuation of air services between the two countries on a mutually acceptable basis.