§ Mr. Trotterasked the Minister for Trade to what extent coastal shipping in each of the EC countries is closed to United Kingdom vessels; and whether he is satisfied that the reservation of such trade to national carriers is in accordance with the provisions of nondiscrimination in the treaty of Rome.
§ Mr. SproatThere are no restrictions on the access of United Kingdom vessels to the coastal trades of Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands or the United Kingdom itself. In Denmark, the coastal trade, where conducted by vessels of under 500 grt, is closed to United Kingdom vessels, but exemptions are granted by the Danish authorities in cases where cargo is moved between Danish ports on a national leg forming part of an international voyage, or where there 193W is an intervening call at a non-Danish port. The coastal trades of France, Germany, Greece and Italy are closed to United Kingdom vessels.
The Government have always taken the view that any restriction on access to cargoes, which is based on grounds of nationality, is clearly contrary to the non-discrimination spirit of the EEC Treaty of Rome. The non-discrimination provisions of the Transport Title of the treaty apply only to transport by rail, road and inland waterway; they do not apply to transport by sea and air. But the Government are still considering whether restrictions on access to coastal trades might be contrary to other provisions of the Treaty.