§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to eliminate from coastal trading the ships of countries which do not allow British ships access to their coastal trades.
§ Mr. McLoughlinNo. The adoption of such a policy would be against our aim of promoting competition in shipping markets and reducing transport costs. My right hon. Friend is pressing his colleagues in the Transport Council of the European Community to reach early agreement to the liberalisation of all Community coastal and offshore trading. However, as a last resort we would consider using the powers under the 1988 Merchant Shipping Act to introduce a test of establishment for any operator trading in United Kingdom coastal waters.