Memorandum from the Ministry of Defence
LETTER FROM THE CLERK OF THE COMMITTEE TO
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS DEFENCE COMMITTEE LIAISON OFFICER, MINISTRY
OF DEFENCE
The Foreign Affairs Committee has asked me to
write to you in connection with its ongoing work on Gibraltar.
As you may know, the FCO published its Response
to the Committee's Report on Gibraltar last month. In its recommendation
"y", on landing fees at Gibraltar airfield, the Committee
asked the Government to "assess whether reducing the landing
charges would encourage greater commercial use of the airport,
thereby ensuring that current revenues are maintained". In
responding to that recommendation, FCO stated that "Landing
fees are a matter for MoD who are responsible for the airfield
. . . The MoD will continue to keep the charging issue under review".
The Committee has asked me to request from the
Ministry of Defence a note responding to recommendation "y",
and commenting specifically on whether as part of its "review"
of the charging issue MoD will carry out the assessment for which
the Committee called.
The Committee would be greatly assisted, were
it to receive the memorandum not later than Monday 24 March.
Clerk of the Committee
26 February 2003
LETTER FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS DEFENCE
COMMITTEE LIAISON OFFICER TO THE CLERK OF THE COMMITTEE
Thank you for your letter of 26 February about
the Committee's ongoing work on Gibraltar and the MoD's review
of landing fees at Gibraltar Airport.
We have very little to add to the Government's
response to the Committee's Report. However. I can confirm that
the MoD's review is examining the possibility that reducing the
landing charges would encourage greater commercial use of Gibraltar
Airport, thereby ensuring that current revenues are maintained.
HCDC Liaison Officer
25 March 2003
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