§ Mr. Peter Reesasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations have been made to the Belgian Minister for Transport about access for Sealink ferries sailing from Dover to the ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what action he will take if the Belgian authorities persist in their decision to exclude Sealink ferries from sailing from Dover to the ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyBritish Ferries Sealink have said that a result of the cessation of their commercial arrangements with the Belgian state maritime company could be their exclusion from the ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge. My officials, together with officials from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of Fair Trading, are today meeting Belgian officials to establish the facts on access to Belgian ports and the intentions of the Belgian authorities, and to make clear our concern about competition and access to Belgian ports before we decide on our next steps.