§ Mr. David Howellasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) by what date he intends that the allocation of air routes between British airline operators will have been sufficiently firmly settled so as to allow British Airways to give clear commitments to potential investors prior to privatisation;
(2) when he proposes to bring forward legislation, arising from the current review of airline routes by the Civil Aviation Authority, to enable the privatisation of British Airways to take place.
§ Mr. RidleyI will await the outcome of the Civil Aviation Authority's review of air transport licensing policy before deciding what, if any, action I need take. It is important for me not to prejudge the results of this independent review.