§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to encourage greater competition in air travel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyGreater competition in air travel should benefit the consumer in terms of better service and lower fares, and help airlines to improve efficiency. We are making a major effort to negotiate new, more liberal agreements with our European partners in order to introduce greater competition on a fair basis. We are also pressing the European Community to apply the competition rules of the treaty of Rome to air transport. Domestically the Civil Aviation Authority has proposed effectively to deregulate fares and to liberalise entry on to many routes.