§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans any further discussion with his opposite numbers in EEC countries on the liberalisation of air services in Europe as recently proposed by the Commission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellYes. I expect to discuss the liberalisation of air services in Europe when I meet the Dutch Minister of Transport and Waterways on 4 May. My right hon. Friend and I hope to discuss the matter further during a dinner for Community Transport Ministers on 9 May and during the Transport Council meeting itself on 10 May. I hope to have further opportunities later of meeting Transport Ministers from other Member States and pressing the case for significant liberalisation of European air transport.
§ Mr. McKelveyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if, before deciding on the appeal by the British Airports Authority against the Civil Aviation Authority's decision to grant a licence for transatlantic air services, he will make a study of the implications for the proposed freeport at Prestwick and for air services to Scotland generally.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Civil Aviation Authority Regulations 1983 provide that in appeal proceedings no person may submit evidence which was not before the Civil Aviation Authority when it decided a case. Since my right hon. Friend may not call for new evidence, he can consider matters relating to Prestwick's freeport status and Scottish air services generally only to the extent that they were examined by the authority during the hearing on the licence application.