§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made on discussions between the UK and USA Governments about enabling commercial aircraft to use the airbase on Ascension. [95316]
§ The Prime MinisterIn December 1998 the UK passed a draft treaty to allow certain types of civil flights into Ascension to the US Authorities for consideration.
During the visit of my noble Friend Baroness Scotland to the United States on 4-5 October 1999, the US Government confirmed in principle that the airfield should be opened to certain types of civil flights on a limited basis.
We are encouraging the United States to complete their internal discussions and to secure a mandate for formal negotiations to begin. British Embassy officials in Washington will soon meet US State Department officials to take this issue forward.