HC Deb 10 June 1985 vol 80 c375W
Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he intends to make to the Italian Government about their continued denial of cabotage rights to British registered ships in spite of the recommendations of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

As the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State told my hon. Friend in the answer he gave him on 3 June, the European Commission has put to the Council a proposal for a regulation which would, among other things, require all member states to open up their cabotage trades to carriers from other member states. Both when the Council discusses this proposal, and in my bilateral contacts with Italian colleagues, I shall be stressing the importance which this Government attach to the adoption of such a policy.