§ 29. Sir Anthony Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether progress has been made with a view to the liberalisation of air services and the level of air fares in the European Economic community; and whether he intends to take further initiatives in this matter during the United Kingdom 's Presidency of the Council.
§ Mr. EyreWork is proceeding on draft proposals for a more liberal regime of regional services and for greater freedom for low weight cargo operators. A study of air fares is also in hand, which we hope will lead to action to enable the airlines to offer competitive low fares free from restrictive conditions. We shall do our best during the United Kingdom's presidency to ensure that air services initiatives are handled effectively.
Progress is slower than we would wish, but I am encouraged by the recent wide acceptance by European Governments of British Airways' new lower Eurobudget fares and by the Netherlands' agreement to British Caledonian Airways' miniprix fare between Gatwick and Amsterdam.