§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make representations to the European Community to ensure that the Lame to Stranraer/Cairnryan ferry routes remain recognised ferry routes between Northern Ireland and Scotland; and if he will oppose action by the European Community to promote rail and road transport developments to make Holyhead to the Irish Republic the main sea ferry route for the island of Ireland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe European Commission's proposals for the development of a high speed rail network and a combined transport network should not be taken as implying any intention to make the port of Holyhead the main route to the island of Ireland. My right hon. Friend's joint statement with the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland and for Transport on 2 December 1991 also made it clear that speculation that the Stranraer to Larne ferry route was under threat of downgrading, or that traffic could be discouraged from using the route as a result of the EC proposals, was without foundation. I have arranged for a copy of the joint statement to be placed in the Library of the House.