§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with the transport and competition directorate of the European Commission in relation to(a) the article 85 exemption procedure and (b) funding for British Rail investment in European Night Services Ltd. with respect to its south Wales-Paris-Brussels service proposal.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department itself has not formally discussed these matters with the European Commission. European Night Services Ltd. is a joint enterprise by British Rail with French, German and Dutch railways. It is for them to arrange any exemptions and funding that may be required. The company and the railways concerned have applied to the Commission for formal confirmation that their operating agreements do not constitute restrictive practices prohibited by article 2 of Council regulation (EEC) No. 1017/68. I hope that the application will be viewed in a positive way.