§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's progress since 1989 in further liberalising air and other transport markets both inside and outside the European Union.
§ Mr. NorrisGood progress has been made since 1989 in liberalising international transport markets.
118WThe third air liberalisation package is now in force in the EU and has been extended to Norway and Sweden. It will shortly be further extended to Iceland, Finland and Austria under the European Economic Area agreement. Our objective as far as the United States is concerned remains to liberalise air services, thus providing further choice and competition on transatlantic routes. Elsewhere, we are making progress in agreeing new or revised arrangements which allow carriers to make commercial decisions on how best to serve the market without needing to seek Government approval. Around 20 such agreements have been made since 1989, with others currently being pursued.
Interrnational shipping markets are already largely liberal. Agreements on liberalisation of international shipping and cabotage within the EU are examples of further progress in this direction.
The road haulage market within the EU is now effectively liberalised and substantial progress has now been made on liberalising passenger services. Road transport agreements, existing or under negotiation, with other countries, are in the main liberal or free of permit quotas.
Access to railway infrastructure must now be granted on equitable conditions for international railway groupings both within EU member states where they are established and in states in between, subject to safety and financial conditions, which must not be discriminatory.