HC Deb 30 October 1989 vol 159 c89W
44. Mr. Bright

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards completing the single market in aviation.

Mr. McLoughlin

A first stage of aviation liberalisation was agreed in December 1987. The EC Commission has recently made proposals for a second major package, which would encourage greater competition and should bring down fares. The Council is due to decide on these proposals by the end of June 1990. Particularly bearing in mind the interests of consumers, my right hon. Friend has pressed hard for further liberalisation. I am glad that the commission has taken up the United Kingdom's ideas in framing its proposals. We will continue to press for measures based on these proposals to be adopted by the Council.