§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the respective roles of his Department and the Civil Aviation Authority in the awarding of the contract to British Airways to convey cargo and passengers between the United Kingdom and the Falklands Islands; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyThe contract Ito which the hon. Member refers is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. My Department, as sponsor of British Airways, is kept informed of the negotiations, but the Civil Aviation Authority is not involved.