§ 20. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on his discussions with the French Government on their boat registration proposals; if he himself has yet met his French ministerial counterpart to discuss the matter: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NottWe have reached the following four-point understanding with the French authorities on the documentation of British pleasure craft visiting French waters:
- 1. The French authorities will continue not to enforce the requirement in French law relating to the proper documentation of British pleasure craft for an additional period of three months—that is, until 31 March 1981.
- 2. Thereafter, as an interim arrangement until 31 December 1983, the French authorities will accept as proper documentation for British pleasure craft either a certificate of registration or, in the case of British pleasure craft making bona fide temporary visits from the United Kingdom to France, parts II and III of Customs Form C1328.
- 3. The purpose of this interim arrangement is to provide the British authorities with a period of some two years to complete the necessary preparatory work for revised registration procedures with a view to enacting the necessary legislation in the 1982–83 Parliamentary Session.
- 4. As from 1 January 1984 the French authorities will accept as proper documentation for British pleasure craft only certificates of registration or other documents in conformity with the Convention on the High Seas 1958."
Pleasure craft leaving United Kingdom ports by sea are already required to carry parts II and III of Customs form C1328.
Her Majesty's Customs and Excise will shortly announce details of the arrangements whereby pleasure craft taken to France by other means—for example, by trailer—and wishing to carry that form are enabled to do so.