HC Deb 20 January 1954 vol 522 cc1008-9
55. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which countries have become contracting parties to the Protocol to co-ordinate and rationalise inland transport; and when the United Kingdom will do so

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)

The following have become Contracting Parties to this Protocol: —

The Federal Republic of Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, the British-United States Zone of the Free Territory of Trieste.

I hope that the United Kingdom will become a Contracting Party about the end of February.

Mr. Davies

Since the United Kingdom is becoming a Contracting Party to this Protocol for the co-ordination of inland transport, will the hon. Gentleman send a copy of it to the Ministry of Transport and suggest that he applies it in this country also?

Mr. Nutting

Our signature to this Protocol is in no way incompatible with our belief that the British transport industry will benefit from a greater measure of freedom. This particular Protocol, it may interest the hon. Member to know, has nothing whatsoever to do with the question of ownership.