HC Deb 25 June 1958 vol 590 cc29-30W
Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action has been taken by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport in regard to Resolution 146, 1958, concerning its Fourth Report adopted at the Tenth Ordinary Session of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Mr. Watkinson

This Resolution, which deals with many of the important subjects covered by the Fourth Report of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport, will be considered in a preliminary way by the Conference when it meets in Paris later this week.

Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport in regard to negotiating an agreement covering international regulations on waterways west of the River Rhine.

Mr. Watkinson

The Fourth Report of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport explained that the Governments of Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland had notified their intention to sign the Draft Agreement, on the understanding that it should not come into force until after the accession of the Netherlands Government and that discussions were proceeding in order to smooth the way for the accession of the Netherlands Government. I understand that no conclusion has yet been reached.