asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests he has received from Dan-Air Services Limited for assistance in obtaining permission from the Cyprus Government for charter flights to Nicosia carrying British Forces' families, with particular reference to a flight scheduled for 18th December.

We have been in frequent touch with Dan-Air over the past six months concerning the series of Forces' families flights to Cyprus starting on 18th December. Appropriate representations have been made at all appropriate stages to the Cyprus authorities and I am glad to say that permission has been obtained for the first flight in the series. Consultations concerning the remaining flights are still in progress.