§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his policy at the recent meeting of the European Council of Ministers of Transport in respect of the European Parliament's proposal, amendment 59, to the Commission's proposal COM (94) 0106 to delete the proposed Birmingham northern relief road from the proposed trans-European transport network. [31746]
§ Mr. WattsThe UK opposed the deletion of the proposed Birmingham northern relief road from the proposed trans-European road network. This road forms part of the Ireland-UK-Benelux priority project.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his policy at the recent meeting of the European Council of Ministers of Transport, in respect of the European Parliament's proposal, amendment 166, to the 51W Commission's proposal COM (94) 0106 to ensure that at least 40 per cent. of EU expenditure on priority projects within the proposed trans-European transport network is spent on railways and at most 25 per cent. is spent on roads. [31747]
§ Mr. WattsThe UK opposed the amendment imposing a target of 40 per cent. for Community spending on rail projects and limiting the level of spending on roads to 25 per cent. of the available budget. We need flexibility to ensure Community resources are targeted at the projects which best meet the agreed criteria for TENs funding. Since eight of the 14 priority projects are rail projects, and a further two cover both road and rail, the major part of the TENs budget is, however, likely to be devoted to rail projects.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his policy at the recent meeting of the European Council of Ministers of Transport, in respect of the European Parliament's proposal, amendment 12, to the Commission's proposal COM (94) 0106 for a strategic environmental impact assessment of the proposed trans-European transport network. [31745]
§ Mr. WattsThe UK and other member states rejected this specific amendment proposed by the Parliament but agreed to a new indent in article 5 on environmental implications of the network and a new recital. These changes will help to ensure that the environment is taken fully into account in the development and implementation of the network.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his policy at the recent meeting of the European Council of Ministers of Transport, in respect of the European Parliament's proposal, amendment 8, to the Commission's proposal COM (94) 0106 for an assessment of the effects of the proposed trans-European transport network on the regions and on jobs. [31744]
§ Mr. WattsThe UK and other member states agreed with the Commission that this proposed European Parliament amendment was unnecessary. The aim of the network is to contribute to strengthening economic and social cohesion. Each project will have to demonstrate it is potentially economically viable taking account of socio-economic costs and benefits.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the recent discussions of the European Council of Ministers of Transport in respect of the proposed trans-European transport network. [31748]
§ Mr. WattsAs reported in an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 27 June,Official Report, column 545–46, at its meeting held on 19–20 June the Council of Ministers discussed the Commission proposal for Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network in the light of the European Parliament's opinion received at the end of May. In addition to the amendments suggested by the European Parliament, a number of proposed amendments put forward by member states were discussed. I was pleased that the Council was able to 52W reach a common position on the proposal. This will now return to the European Parliament for further consideration.