§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they anticipate the opening of the canal linking the Rhine and the Danube and what effects do they anticipate this having on: (a) water-borne transport between Western Europe (including the United Kingdom) and Eastern Europe and places beyond; and (b) the pollution of the water systems, and what steps are being proposed to ensure that, in the case of (a), no distortions of trade will occur and that, in the case of (b), appropriate controls will be set up.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)I understand that the canal between the Rhine and Danube is expected to be opened in 1992 and current estimates of total traffic in the canal itself, at the start, will be between 4 and 7 million tonnes. I also understand that negotiations between the states directly involved are still proceeding but that their objectives include both avoiding distortions of trade and adverse effects on the water system.