§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 30 November; and if he will make a statement. [62328]
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Transport Council of 30 November to 1 December. [62943]
§ Dr. ReidThe Transport Council met in Brussels on 30 November and 1 December. I and my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London represented the United Kingdom.
The Council agreed a common position on one legislative proposal and reached agreement on transport negotiations with Switzerland. It also agreed a report to the Vienna European Council on integration of 119W environmental requirements into transport policy, and held useful discussions in several other important areas of land, air and maritime transport policy.
In land transport, the Council agreed a common position on a directive on heavy goods vehicle taxation and charges (known as the "Eurovignette" directive). This was a difficult dossier, to which successive Presidencies, including our own, had contributed. The Council also reached agreement on the outcome of the European Commission's transport negotiations with Switzerland on behalf of the European Community. The complete package of negotiations with Switzerland, on transport and other items, will be finalised by the General Affairs Council.
There was a debate on two directives amending the rules promoting combined transport. Although there was general support for the underlying aim, there were concerns about the proposals as drafted. Among these were the UK's concern that, at least in the UK, the proposals would not have the desired effect of encouraging a shift of freight from road to rail, and would be likely to have perverse effects. In the absence of sufficient support the Presidency asked for further work to be done by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER).
There was further discussion of the Commission's legislative proposals to establish a regulatory framework for the Community's railways. The UK strongly supports the proposals and referred to the Treaty requirement for progressive abolition of barriers to freedom to provide services. Following the discussion, the Presidency asked for further work to be done on the proposals.
Two measures were discussed relating to inland waterways, neither of which applies to the UK. Broad agreement was reached on a measure to extend a fleet capacity management programme, and the Council discussed a draft amending directive on technical standards for inland waterways vessels.
On air transport, the Presidency concluded that there was insufficient support for the draft conclusions which it had tabled on a full Community negotiating mandate for air transport negotiations with the US, and asked for further work to be carried out.
Disagreement between Spain and the UK over application to Gibraltar Airport prevented the Council agreeing a draft amending Regulation which would improve compensation arrangements for air passengers who are denied boarding on overbooked flights. The UK reaffirmed its strong support for the measure and rejected Spanish claims that Gibraltar Airport should be suspended from its application, pointing out that this would remove rights conferred on users of Gibraltar Airport by the original Regulation. The Presidency noted the Commission's request for further work on a Regulation on aviation statistics which has not progressed since 1996 when disagreement on application to Gibraltar Airport prevented its adoption. The Council also discussed a draft Directive providing for ramp checks on third country aircraft using EU airports which had previously been agreed, because Spain had now requested suspension of the application of the measure to Gibraltar Airport. The UK confirmed its support for the text agreed by the Council, regretting that Spain had objected to this important safety measure at such a late stage.
120WThe Council noted the Commission's reports on the progress of negotiations to establish a European Aviation Safety Authority, for Community membership of Eurocontrol, and on extending the single aviation market to ten central and eastern European countries. The Council also noted progress on the draft Directive on airport charging, and received a report on the outcome of the 32nd meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal.
In maritime transport, there was a debate on the draft directive on ferry manning conditions. The UK made clear its strong support for the proposal, which would protect Community seafarer employment. Some Member States thought that more information was needed about the impact of the proposal. At the Presidency's request, the Commission agreed to produce a report on the directive's likely impact and inform a future Council of progress.
The Council agreed a report on integrating environmental requirements into transport policy, to go to the European Council in Vienna on 11–12 December. The report outlines progress to date and indicates that the Council will draw up an ambitious phased work programme, a first report on which will be discussed by the end of 1999.
Under other business, the Commission presented its proposal for new working time rules in the road and maritime sectors, and presented its report on the development of transport Trans-European Networks.