asked the Secretary of State for Transport what prospects there are for liberalisation of air services within Europe following the European Community Council of Transport Ministers on 23–24 March.

At last week's Council of Transport Ministers real progress was made on the question of cheaper fares. The Council at last accepted our view that cheap "off-peak- fares should be available to everyone without absurdly restrictive conditions. The Council is also close to agreement on ways of introducing greater competition for business fares. The prospects of agreement, by the Commission's deadline of 30 June have thus clearly improved, although considerable work is still needed, particularly on the vital question of market access.