Soviet Cruise Liners

HC Deb 03 February 1983 vol 36 cc154-5W

Mr. Trotter

asked the Minister for Trade what steps are being taken to offset unfair competition from Soviet cruise liners.

Mr. Sproat

The British Government have made it clear to the Soviet authorities that we would not be prepared to see Soviet cruise ships, operating out of United Kingdom ports, damage British cruise operators through disruptive non-commercial competition. I am glad to be able to tell my hon. Friend, therefore, that at the annual meeting of the Anglo-Soviet Maritime Commission in Moscow the Soviet authorities agreed that in 1983 the number of berths their cruise lines would offer out of British ports would exceed the level reached in 1982 by no more than 2 per cent. Both sides agreed that British and Soviet cruise line operators should meet at the commercial level to discuss their 1984 programmes. Those discussions will be held in London shortly, and I have asked for a report on the outcome.