§ 4. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement upon the recent meeting of the European Economic Community Council of Ministers of Transport on shipping issues.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Reginald Eyre)The Council adopted a programme of 5 work for 1981 to 1983, including shipping. It also agreed a procedure for monitoring cargo liner traffic between the Community and the Far East.
§ Mr. JohnsonWill the Minister confirm or deny that the highly contentious issue of flags of convenience arose at the meeting? If so, will he kindly tell the House whether Her Majesty's Government have any views or any definite starts on this matter?
§ Mr. EyreThe matter of registers of origin, or flags of convenience, is being discussed in the Council, but it is better that it should be considered also on a wider international basis.
§ Mr. AdleyWhat steps are Ministers taking to ensure that the principle that the polluter pays is made harmonised Community policy in regard to oil pollution at sea?
§ Mr. EyreThe Council is considering measures which increase efficiency in dealing with pollution problems, but the details of such matters are decided in the main by environmental Ministers.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisIf the Minister says that the issue of flags of convenience ought to be considered on a wider international basis, is he aware that it is to be considered at UNCTAD? What is the Government's view to be then? Do they consider that the issue of flags of convenience raises questions of unfair competition which they seem studiously to have ignored in the past—aspects which are just as injurious to British shipping as the unfair competition practised by the Soviet Union?
§ Mr. EyreThe hon. Gentleman knows that consideration of this question is a very complex matter, but he is perfectly right in saying that flags of convenience—the open register system—will come under further discussion at UNCTAD on 1 May, when further consideration will be given to all these aspects.