§ 28. Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has made to the French Government about allowing rights of cabotage to British-registered ships to trade in French territorial waters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyI have been pressing for the opening up of European cabotage in the context of European Community Transport Council discussions on the draft regulation applying the freedom to provide services to maritime transport. I reported on these discussions during the debate on the European Community shipping policy on 11 March 1986 at cols. 818–820. The draft regulation is to be discussed further at the next Transport Council on 6 May. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for Shipping has also held bilateral discussions with his former French counterpart. We look forward to discussions with the new French Ministers before long.