§ Mr. MacGregorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the outcome of the Transport Council held in Luxembourg on 3 and 4 October. [41344]
§ Sir George YoungThe Transport Council met in Luxembourg on 3 and 4 October. My hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads represented the United Kingdom.
The only item before the Council for decision was a proposal for negotiations with 10 central and eastern European countries on agreements aimed at integrating these countries' air transport markets with that of the Community. This was agreed. The Council met Transport Ministers from the 10 countries, as part of the agreed strategy of "structured relations" with these countries to help prepare them for EU membership. The discussion concentrated on the development of railways and combined transport.
The Commission reported on progress in the negotiations for land and air transport agreements between the Community and Switzerland.
The Council debated the Commission's White Paper on the future of the Community's railways. The United Kingdom welcomed the emphasis in the paper on greater commercialisation, the further separation of infrastructure and operations and open access for freight services.
The Council debated a draft directive on heavy goods vehicle taxation and road user charging, intended as a replacement for the existing directive, which has been annulled by the European Court of Justice. The Council also considered two proposals for further liberalisation of bus and coach services. The Council discussed a draft regulation on air transport, to extend and harmonise air carrier's liability in case of death or injury to passengers, and a draft directive on maritime safety, to introduce a harmonised safety regime for fishing vessels over 24m. It is planned that there should be further discussions at official level on all these proposals before the next Transport Council.
The United Kingdom presented a paper to the Council urging further work on methods of transferring the costs of marine infrastructure, such as navigational aids, from state budgets to users of the services provided. The Commission said that it would continue to look at this issue.
Other issues raised at the Council include aviation safety, air traffic management, and combined transport.