§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the obligations of the French Government under EU law in relation to free trade within France and the action it has taken to fulfil these obligations in respect of the dispute by French hauliers. [105007]
§ Mr. HillCouncil Regulation (EC) 2679/98 requires member states to take all necessary and proportionate measures in order to facilitate the free movement of goods on their territories. Such measures must not, however, affect the exercise of fundamental rights, including the right or freedom to strike. The blockades, which were set up in France on 10 January, were removed on 12 January.
§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to the(a) French Government and (b) European Commission, regarding the dispute by French hauliers; and if he will make a statement. [105006]
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§ Mr. HillMy right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport wrote to the French Transport Minister on Tuesday 11 January to express our concern that yet again British hauliers were being prevented from going about their lawful business by a domestic dispute in France. My right hon. and noble Friend also sought assurances that the French Government would ensure the safety and well being of any British lorry drivers caught up in the dispute, and would act quickly to restore the free movement of goods. The letter was copied to the European Commission.
§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates the Government have received of the cost to British companies of the French hauliers' dispute; and if he will make a statement. [105012]
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the cost to British business of the latest road blockade in France. [105265]
§ Mr. HillRegrettably, a number of companies and individuals will have incurred financial loss and suffered delay and general inconvenience as a result of the dispute in France. The Government have received no estimates of these overall costs and have no means of assessing what they might be.
§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has discussed with the French Government the issue of compensation for British lorry drivers whose livelihoods are affected by the French hauliers' dispute. [105008]
§ Mr. HillIt is a cause for concern that, yet again, British hauliers have suffered financially as a result of a domestic dispute in France. However, as the French Government gave notice of this dispute on Friday 7 January, any hauliers who subsequently chose to travel to France and were then blockaded there are unlikely to be eligible for compensation under the relevant French law. Similarly, vehicles that were delayed outside French territory would not be eligible for compensation under French legislation.