HC Deb 26 October 1995 vol 264 cc741-2W
Mr. Sykes

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the result of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 28 September. [40234]

Sir George Young

The Transport Council met in Brussels on 28 September. My hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads represented the United Kingdom.

The Council discussed proposals for a Community negotiating mandate on road transport agreements with certain central and eastern European countries, and invited the Committee of Permanent Representatives to prepare detailed texts with a view to agreement at the December Transport Council.

The Council met Transport Ministers from the nine central and eastern European countries which have association agreements with the European Community. Discussion concentrated on the approximation of legislation and development of infrastructure.

The Council reached a common position on a consolidating and amending directive on the weights and dimensions of goods vehicles, which extends to national traffic the limits on dimensions—but not weights—applying to international traffic. On the initiative of the UK and the Netherlands, existing goods vehicles which cannot comply with the new provisions may continue in use in national transport until the end of 2006.

The Council also reached a common position on a directive transposing into Community law and applying to national transport the existing regulations on the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail. Special, more stringent rules will continue to apply to the channel tunnel.

The Council reached political agreement on a scrapping scheme to reduce capacity in the inland waterways industry. Together with Germany, the UK opposed the use of Community funds for this purpose. The Council also reached political agreement on a regulation giving inland waterways operators the freedom to provide services in any member state.

The Council continued to discuss the Commission's proposals for liberalisation of ground handling services at Community airports. These will now be considered further by the Committee of Permanent Representatives. The Council agreed a resolution on air traffic management in situations of crisis and congestion.

Other items raised at the Council included proposals for a plastic card driving licence, which were welcomed by the UK and other member states, and taxation of aviation fuel.