HC Deb 16 February 1972 vol 831 cc403-4
19. Mr. Fry

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he now has for liberalising the quota system under which the European Economic Community countries restrict journeys by lorries from outside their borders; and if he will make a statement.

18. Mr. Fell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he is now considering for relaxing restrictions on freight movement within the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peyton

Our dislike of quotas and similar restrictions is well known. As a member of E.E.C. we shall continue to press for liberalisation.

Mr. Fry

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Is he aware of the concern among transport undertakings in this country at the action of the French Government in this matter? May we be assured that he will continue to make representations, until we enter the E.E.C., to try to obtain more licences for vehicles from this country?

Mr. Peyton

I am conscious that the system of bilateral quotas, which does not spring from the E.E.C., is a source of great embarrassment and hindrance to our haulage industry. I only wish that I could give my hon. Friend the assurance that it was within my power to do away with the system, which I regard as an abomination.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that when the Prime Minister signed the Treaty of Accession in Brussels on 22nd January, he was accepting a very tight and rigid European transport policy? That being so, what will the right hon. Gentleman do to make it more liberal for British road hauliers?

Mr. Peyton

The hon. Gentleman, not for the first time, has misunderstood the issue. The rigidity of this totally unacceptable quota system comes from individual countries—

Mr. Huckfield

Nonsense.

Mr. Peyton

—which have bilateral quotas. There is only a very minute multilateral quota, which is growing under the encouragement of the Community. Before the hon. Gentleman repeats the charge of "Nonsense" from a sitting position, he should inform himself better.