§ 21. Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make representations to the West German Government seeking the extension of the rights of cabotage in West German waters to British registered ships.
§ Mr. RidleyI am seeking talks with Dr. Dollinger as soon as possible, and shipping cabotage is one of the main issues I shall be raising. The present position, under which the United Kingdom cabotage trade is open to all and many EC countries' trades are closed to British vessels is inequitable and unacceptable. I want to make this point to Dr. Dollinger and to enlist German support for the draft Council regulation which would eliminate the anomaly by liberalising all cabotage trades within the Community.