§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many British-owned shipborne barges navigated the River Rhine in the last 12 months period for which figures are available; what cargoes they carried; and what ports they traded between.
§ Dr. GilbertNone, but 81 shipborne barges are at present regularly carrying cargoes, mainly bulk and semi-manufactured materials, between the United Kingdom and Rhine ports up to Cologne.
§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what new trading conditions are anticipated when the Rhine is linked to the Danube in the 1980s; and what advantages are expected to accrue to the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. GilbertThere will be new opportunities for trade between Eastern and Western Europe and for shipping services on the enlarged waterway network. The consequent advantages to the United Kingdom will depend partly on the measures adopted to meet these new conditions, which will be a matter for negotiation between the countries concerned, in particular those represented on the Rhine and Danube Commissions.