§ 10. Mr. Shoreasked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied with the present composition of the Port of London Authority; and what proposals he has received for its reform from the National Ports Council or from other bodies.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe Authority is composed. of 29 members, representative of all the main interests in the port. I 1422 have not as yet received any proposals for reform of the constitution of the port, but the National Ports Council and the Authority are at present discussing the matter.
§ Mr. ShoreIn view of that reply, will my right hon. Friend take the opportunity of drawing to the attention of the Port of London Authority the view of the Rochdale Committee that the majority of members of a port authority should not be drawn from people who are regular payers of rates and dues, which is the case in the Port of London Authority today?
§ Mr. FraserThe Chairman of the Rochdale Committee was Lord Rochdale, who is also Chairman of the National Ports Council, and he is having consultations with the Port of London Authority at the present time.
§ Mr. MikardoWould my right hon. Friend undertake that in any wider review which takes place of the working of the London Docks not only the composition but also the terms of reference, functions and powers of the Port of London Authority will be subject to examination?
§ Mr. FraserMy hon. Friend has directed his Question to the Port of London Authority, but he has raised a question which the Government must look at in a wider context, and that we are doing.