§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 June 2002,Official Report, column 860, how many meetings have taken place between the UK and US Governments since 1 February to discuss liberalisation of transatlantic air services; when the meetings took place; when the next meeting is scheduled; who was present at the meeting; and what the outcome was of the discussion. [64322]
§ The Prime MinisterFurther to the answer I gave at Prime Minister's questions I would like to outline the nature of the contacts made regarding this issue. It is right that we are keen to liberalise the US-UK air services agreement, but only on the basis that the terms are right and fair. Contact has continued to take place at official level. Ministerial discussions were conducted last year, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Transport discussed it with the American Administration in January. I have asked the Secretary of State for Transport to review all the options and consider the best way forward to restart the discussions formally.