§ Mr. Bradleyasked the Minister of Aviation what was the outcome of the recent negotiations with the United States of America regarding routes exchanged under the Civil Air Services Agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyAgreement was reached on a number of important new route rights and amendments to existing routes170W for both sides. Full details of this comprehensive revision of the routes available under the Bermuda Agreement are set out in the Notes exchanged today between the British Ambassador in Washington and the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs in the American State Department, which are today being published as a Command Paper.
We achieved our main objective in the negotiation which was to secure rights for a westabout route for B.O.A.C. through New York across the United States to Australia and New Zealand. This will provide valuable strengthening of our Commonwealth links and I understand that B.O.A.C. are planning to introduce services on the route next year. The United Kingdom has gained other rights in the United States, particularly to Chicago on the U.K. direct route to the U.S. West Coast, rights to serve several Commonwealth and Colonial territories in the Eastern Caribbean through New York, and, as well, local route rights in the Caribbean and in the Far East.
In return the United States have been granted additional routes to Hong Kong through Europe and the Pacific, and routes providing greater operational flexibility and wider openings in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda, and additional flexibility on routes to Europe.
This exchange of rights will give additional scope to the activities of the airlines of both countries and will enable the overseas territories to enjoy improved services.