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Background: An agreement was signed in Moscow today on behalf of British European Airways and Aeroflot for an air service between London and Moscow, via Copenhagen.

Signed by Lord Douglas of Kirtleside, chairman of B.E.A., and Marshal Zigarev, chief of Aeroflot, the agreement still leaves unsettled such points as the type of aircraft the Russians will use, whether the Scandinavian Airlines system will grant the Russians the right to fly by way of Copenhagen, and the fare.

Lord Douglas told the Press that it was planned to begin the service within the next few months - not before June but sooner than September. A Soviet delegation of experts will be coming to London soon to discuss the airport's regulations, radio communications and other matters.

When the service begins B.E.A. will use the Viscount, but hopes to switch to the Comet 1V when that becomes available. The Russians will use the TU-104, which has already been seen in London on several occasions, or the slower IL 18, a turbo-prop four-engine aircraft, if the TU-104 does not pass the noise restrictions at London Airport.

B.E.A. and Aeroflot will start with two flights each week, increasing this to thrice weekly as traffic warrants.

Lord Douglas, who arrived in Moscow last Friday, expressed complete satisfaction with the attitude of cooperation and helpfulness of Soviet airline officials.

Lord Douglas had the opportunity at a Kremlin party in honour of the fortieth anniversary of the Russian Army, to meet Mr. Kruschev. He said that Mr. Kruschev had an excellent knowledge of commercial aviation, had expressed satisfaction at the agreement, and declared that it was far better for aircraft to carry passengers to London than bombs.