§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on bilateral discussions on landing rights between India and the UK; [82285]
(2) what representations he has received concerning landing rights for British airlines in India. [82284]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonRepresentations have been received from UK scheduled and charter airlines and passengers concerning the restrictive nature of the air services arrangements between the United Kingdom and India. British Airways wishes to operate additional services to India and Virgin Atlantic also wishes to enter the UK-India market but neither can do so because there is insufficient capacity under the UK/India air services 145W arrangements. In addition, we have received reports that there has been overbooking on UK-India services and a significant number of passengers are having to travel by indirect routes.
We have been seeking to liberalise the arrangements. The last round of bilateral discussions took place in December 1996. Talks scheduled for September 1997 were postponed at the request of the Indian authorities. Despite repeated representations from the UK Government, no dates have been agreed for the next round of bilateral discussions.