§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the UK's commitment to a fully liberalised aviation treaty between the EU and the US; [R] [159204]
(2) what progress has been made at the recent talks in Washington between the EU and the US on an open aviation area; [R] [159205]
(3) what steps he is taking to promote the interests of (a) the UK and (b) UK aviation during the open aviation talks between the EU and the US; [R] [159206]
(4) if he will make representations for restrictions on (a) ownership, (b) cabotage rights, (c) wet lease and (d) the Fly America policy to be removed as part of any agreement on an open aviation area between the EU and the US; [R] [159207]
(5) what further progress is expected at the next meeting between the EU and US on an open aviation area. [R] [159208]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Government have supported a mandate for the European Commission to negotiate an open aviation area with the US on the basis that this will be an area where air carriers of both sides will be able to establish themselves and freely provide services according to commercial principles, competing on a fair and equal basis. The offer made by the US at the recent talks falls far short of this objective. We will continue to take every opportunity, including meetings of the Transport Council and our participation in the Special Committee of Member State representatives, to make the case for a fully liberalised EU/US aviation agreement, including the removal of restrictions in areas such as airline ownership, market access and aircraft leasing.