HC Deb 18 March 1985 vol 75 c372W
33. Mr. Stott

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to take powers to reserve coastal shipping to British ships.

Mr. David Mitchell

No. The policy of this Government is to press for the opening up of foreign cabotage trades to British vessels. In pursuit of this goal, we shall be supporting proposals for the liberalisation of shipping markets within the EEC which have recently been made by the Commission of the European Communities.