§ Mr. GogginsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the balance of benefits to the United Kingdom regions and to the South East of England in pursuing a mini-deal on transatlantic bilateral air service agreements with the USA. [106788]
§ Mr. MullinTransatlantic air services between the UK and the US are governed by the provisions of an air services agreement, commonly referred to as Bermuda II. The Government will contemplate changes to Bermuda II only on terms which are no less advantageous to the generality of UK interests than to US interests. In determining this balance, the Government have regard not only to the interests of airlines but to the interests of airports (London and regional), the regions in which those airports are situated and the interests of consumers. This approach has guided the Government's consideration of a range of options for a possible mini-deal during the current round of talks.