§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from UK airlines concerning the future of US/UK civil aviation agreements. [85479]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe are in frequent communication with UK airlines, large and small.
173W
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is the Government's policy to retain responsibility for bilateral negotiations with third countries on civil aviation agreements. [85480]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe would consider transferring bilateral responsibilities to a third party only if we judged that to be in the wider interests of UK aviation.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions his Department has held with their US counterparts concerning the future of US/UK civil aviation agreements; who was present at those meetings; what were the agenda and the conclusions; and if he will make a statement. [85478]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAt a meeting in Washington on 20 April, the Deputy Prime Minister and US Transportation Secretary Slater agreed that informal talks between UK and US officials about air services arrangements should take place in May. This was confirmed by my noble Friend Lord Whitty in the House of Lords on 28 April 1999,Official Report, House of Lords, columns 301–03, and the two teams of officials met on 18–20 May in London. The UK team comprised three DETR officials, two FCO officials and a representative from the Civil Aviation Authority; the US team comprised three State Department officials and three Department of Transportation officials. The discussions were broad and preliminary, with the emphasis on a phased approach to air services liberalisation.