asked the Secretary of State for Trade what recent representations he has received about the Atlantic route allocation following the demise of Laker Airways.

Representations have been received from the chairman of British Caledonian Airways and from some hon. Members. A temporary exemption from licensing requirements was subsequently granted to that airline to enable it to operate a service on the Gatwick-Los Angeles route.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what changes have occurred in the last 12 months in the share of North Atlantic air passenger traffic carried on British airlines.

Although final figures are not yet available, the indications are that during 1981, as compared with 1980, the share of United Kingdom/United States scheduled passenger traffic carried by British airlines fell marginally from 50 per cent. to 49 per cent. The collapse of Laker Airways will undoubtedly affect the position in 1982.