§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in reaching the necessary European Parliament and Council co-decision on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network. [38857]
§ Mr. WattsNegotiations to agree a suitable text for the transport TENS guidelines have reached a successful conclusion. The text of the agreement was deposited before the Scrutiny Committee of the House, and that of another place, on 12 July. It was adopted formally by the Council by means of the written procedure on 16 July, and on the same day by the European Parliament after a formal debate.
Adoption of the guidelines means that member states can now proceed to decide on the allocation of the TENS funds available for transport projects in 1996. The TENS financial assistance committee, which is composed of representatives of member states, is to meet to determine this allocation on 25 July.