§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will state the present position of the discussions on air services between the United Kingdom and Denmark.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisSince the talks in Oslo in November, all three Scandinavian Governments have served notice of terminating their air services agreements with effect from 31st December 1978. I regret that so far-reaching a step was taken after a single meeting, and as a result of a difference of opinion over a matter which we would have expected to resolve by discussion between friendly countries.
The provisions of the existing agreements will, of course, continue to apply 802W during the period of notice, and the implementation of those agreements will form the main topic for discussion at a further meeting between the United Kingdom and the Governments of Denmark, Norway and Sweden in London on 30th and 31st January. It is expected that negotiations for new agreements will open in the spring.