§ Mr. Bruceasked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to fulfil his obligations under article 88 of the Treaty of Rome in relation to fare-pooling and other co-operation agreements between United Kingdom and other European Economic Community airlines.
§ Mr. David MitchellMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been considering the applicability of article 88 in this context. Meanwhile he has received no requests to rule on the admissibility of inter-airline agreements under the article. The Council is at present 7W considering a memorandum by the Commission on progress towards the development of a Community air transport policy. This includes a draft regulation under article 87 which would give effect to the principles of the competition provisions of the treaty in relation to aviation, and would supersede any responsibility my right hon. Friend has under article 88. My right hon. Friend has urged the Council to arrange for early and speedy consideration of the Commission's proposals, including the draft regulation.