§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that British registered ships are allowed to trade in the coastal waters of other member states of the European Community.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe reservation of cabotage cargoes to national flag vessels is a long-standing policy of a number of Community countries and they remain to be persuaded that they should open this trade up to the vessels of other member states. The Government, however, remain firmly convinced that this policy is not in conformity with the principles of the treaty of Rome and are considering how to open these trades up to British registered vessels.