§ Mr. Thorntonasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether within the framework of the new agreement allowing Singapore Airlines to provide flights to Manchester, he has any plans for further liberalisation of aviation arrangements between the United Kingdom and Singapore; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have no such plans.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what evaluations his Department has carried out of the commercial and other benefits to Greater Manchester and the north of England of the opening of a new air service between Manchester and Singapore; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyThe benefits and disbenefits of a particular service are difficult to evaluate, particularly in advance. I hope that the new service between Manchester and Singapore will benefit the economy of Greater Manchester and the north of England. However, I would in general expect services from regional airports by British Airlines to generate greater benefits than those by foreign airlines.