§ Mr. StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the economic consequences for Scotland of a liberalised international air cargo regime; and if he will make a statement. [10665]
§ Mr. BowisThe Department of Transport has not made any assessment of an overall liberal air cargo regime for Scotland, since air cargo matters are negotiated bilaterally118W with individual countries on behalf of the United Kingdom as a whole. In assessing the economic benefits of cargo liberalisation in specific bilateral arrangements, the Department takes account of the overall interests of the United Kingdom, including consumers, airports and airlines.