Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with representatives of the European Commission on the prospects of the UK receiving an exemption for competitive domestic ports from the proposed European Port Services Regulations.

I spoke to the previous Transport Commissioner, Siim Kallas, on this issue. In the course of that discussion I explained that the UK has the most competitive and least subsidised ports sector in the entire EU, and that I believe we shall make a compelling case for a competitive market exemption applicable to key provisions of the proposed port services Regulation.

Now that we have gained the exemption provision in the General Approach, officials continue to take this work forward and I remain committed to ensuring that the unique character of the UK ports sector is recognised.