§ Mr. AdleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his discussions(a) with his Spanish counterpart, on the use of Gibraltar airport and (b) on the completion of an agreement on European Economic Community air fares.
§ Mr. ChannonMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I yesterday reached agreement in discussion with the Spanish Foreign and Transport Ministers on arrangements relating to civil aviation at Gibraltar airport. These practical and co-operative arrangements, which are set out in a joint declaration published today, are intended to improve substantially the handling of passengers and freight at the airport and to open up possibilities for its future development. Copies of the declaration are in the Library of the House.
This agreement removes the obstacle which last June blocked adoption of the European Community's aviation liberalisation package. The package, which includes important measures to encourage new, lower air fares, was approved in principle by all member states in June and we now hope to see it adopted at the meeting of the Council of Transport Ministers next Monday.