§ Mr. David Huntasked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress he has made with the other EEC members on agreeing co-ordinated defence measures to meet the Russian maritime threat; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisI cannot make a statement at this stage. A number of possible measures are under consideration in Brussels in preparation for discussion at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers (Transport).
§ Mr. David Huntasked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps his Department has taken to protect British shipping from the Russian maritime threat in the two years since the publication of the General Council of British Shipping's leaflet "Red Ensign versus Red Flag"; and what progress he has made over this period.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisIn the last two years there have been two meetings with the Soviet maritime authorities at ministerial level, and some seven meetings at official level which have included representatives from the General Council of British Shipping. Some improvement in the United Kingdom share of the bilateral liner traffic has been obtained, but progress towards an accommodation on Soviet cross-trade activity has so far been disappointing.