HL Deb 19 October 1999 vol 605 cc119-20WA
Lord Davies of Coity

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the outcome of the EU Transport Council held on 6 October [HL9273]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

The Transport Council met in Luxembourg on 6 October, the day after the rail accident at Ladbroke Grove in west London. The Chairman of the Council and a number of EU Transport ministers expressed condolences to the UK. I was able to attend for part of the meeting before returing to London. The UK Permanent Representation occupied the UK seat for the remainder.

The Council agreed the text of its report to the Helsinki European Council on the integration of transport and environment policies. The report, another important step in the process launched by the UK during its EU Presidency last year, emphasises the importance of policy integration at EU level.

The Council adopted mandates for negotiations with the United States and the Russian Federation as part of the definition phase of the Galileo satellite navigation project.

Following a long debate, the Council agreed conclusions on the railways package, guaranteeing rail operators access to a trans-European rail freight network (TERFN), yet to be defined, leaving the arrangements for delivering this to member states and respecting the UK's approach to infrastructure charging. The conculsions lay down the outline of the final package. The Council agreed that it will aim for a Common Position at the December Council on the infrastructure package and on access rights and that proposals would be taken forward on a definition of a TERFN, interoperability and technical harmonisation.

The Commission reported on its continuing contacts with the US, aimed at reaching an agreement in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on new aircraft noise standards. The Presidency called on the Commission to make legislative proposals which would facilitate work within ICAO and affirmed the objective of maintaining EU environmental standards.

As in June, the Council showed divergent views on aspects of the proposal on working time in road transport, extending EU working time provisions to that sector. Member states remained divided on the issue of inclusion of the self-employed. The Presidency said it would work with the Commision to produce a compromise proposal before the December Council.

The Council debated the proposed directive on harmonisation of weekend and holiday lorry bans. Member states were divided on the issue. The UK, while in favour of harmonisation, recognised the concerns of some other member states which currently have lorry bans. The Presidency asked for further work to be done.

Under other business, the Commission reported that it would submit a communication on air traffic delays to the December Council. Member states were urged to make every effort towards a successful conclusion to the negotiations on Community accession to Eurocontrol.

France presented a paper proposing a programme of work on tackling trans-Alpine transport problems, in the light of recent incidents. The Commission said it would look at further initiatives, which should fit in with wider transport policy.

Other issues dealt with under other business were: preparation for the aviation Open Skies conference being held in Chicago in December; transport in WTO/GATS, with particular reference to the Seattle conference in November; the Year 2000 computer problem (the Commission noting that good progress had been made in transport sectors); and the current blockage of navigation on the Danube.