HC Deb 05 April 1978 vol 947 c438
28. Mr. John Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to attend a meeting of the European Economic Community Transport Ministers.

Mr. William Rodgers

On 12th June.

Mr. Evans

Has there been any progress at all in any of the matters that the Commissioner for Transport has put to the Council of Ministers as priorities, and, if any, on which ones? Second, will my right hon. Friend consider putting in the Library a copy of the action programme so that hon. Members interested in transport may see the great amount of legislation in this important field which is threatened from Europe?

Mr. Rodgers

I shall certainly arrange to put a copy of the programme in the Library. I am very happy to do that. As for progress made, I think it only fair to say that progress has not been very fast, but I am sure that at our meeting on 12th June we shall have an assessment of this from the Commissioner.

Mr. John Page

When the Secretary of State meets his European colleagues, will he tell them loudly and clearly that he has no intention whatever of introducing kilometres on British roads, for at least two reasons—first, that one cannot export British roads, and, second, that boring harmonisation is unnecessary? Will he stand up for the principle of "Vive la différence"?

Mr. Rodgers

I shall certainly tell my colleagues in Brussels, when appropriate, exactly what I have said in the House on the whole question.