HC Deb 22 May 1974 vol 874 cc196-7W
54. Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what consultations he has with foreign Governments about international agreements concerning compensation for the victims of aircraft disasters: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Clinton Davis

As I indicated to the House during the debate on this subject on 16th May, representatives of civil aviation authorities of some dozen other European Governments have been invited to London at the end of this month for informal discussions, under the auspices of the Civil Aviation Authority, about the prospects of applying substantially higher limits of airline passenger liability, possibly along the general lines of what has already been done in this country by British Airways and by British Caledonian Airways. We would clearly hope that, if the discussions are fruitful, others, too, may perhaps take steps in a similar direction. Specifically, as regards the Guatemala Protocol, a move to ratify by the United States, which could lead to its general ratification, would of course be welcome. Accordingly we take every opportunity of pressing our concern about this matter.

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