HL Deb 17 December 1986 vol 483 cc165-6

2.36 p.m.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether prior to relinquishing the Presidency of the European Community on 31st December they will make a statement on the step-by-step advance they propose for the inclusion of air transport in the agreed decision to work towards the elimination of barriers to the internal market of the Community by 1992.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, the Council agreed in June that the 1992 target date applies to air transport in common with other sectors of the economy and that there should be a step-by-step approach to full liberalisation by that date. We have therefore concentrated on a three-year first step. At the Transport Council on Monday there was unanimous support for our proposals on capacity and a substantial majority in favour of our ideas on market access. Seven states clearly support our proposals for cheaper fares and only two are still totally opposed.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I wish that I were as optimistic as the Minister in his reply. Will he not agree that responsibilities of the Presidency extend to the whole of the Community? I am asking whether the Minister considers that at the end of this year, on 31st December, we, as President, should issue a statement on what we have tried to do on this matter, where we have failed and what we think the step-by-step advance towards this 1992 achievement should be. That would surely be a legacy to leave behind as President, and a necessary one.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness. I shall certainly convey her remarks to my right honourable friend. I am sure the House will agree that my right honourable friend has done extremely well. Our efforts represent solid progress and put the incoming Belgian Presidency in a commanding position to complete a worthwhile first-stage package.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I am sorry to niggle. Is the Minister aware that I think Mr. Moore and the Government have done their best? However, it is not enough. Is he aware that there is no sense of urgency in the Community on these matters? Everything we read in the paper speaks of developments in three or four years and when the Commission has taken further decisions. Can the Minister urge on his right honourable friend and the Prime Minister that we would welcome a Statement on 31st December along the lines I have suggested?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I shall certainly convey the remarks of the noble Baroness to my right honourable friend. The noble Baroness knows better than I do how difficult it is to get two parties to agree on a policy, let alone 12. However, we are treating it with the maximum urgency.