§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in his talks with the West German Government seeking the extension of the rights of cabotage in West German waters to British-registered ships.
§ Mr. RidleyI am pleased to announce that we have now reached a satisfactory agreement with the Federal Republic. This will have the effect of ensuring that British operators offering a competitive service will have no bureaucratic difficulties in participating in German cabotage trades. We shall be seekang similar arrangements with other EC member states which at present exclude our vessels from such trades, while continuing to press for the early adoption of the Commission's proposal for abolition of cabotage restrictions among member states.