§ 8. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to effect improvements in harbours in respect of maintenance, management, and employment, and so as to ensure integrated planning and development of port facilities of Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.
§ 23. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to modernise the ports in the United Kingdom.
§ 28. Mr. Berryasked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for the reorganisation of the ports.
§ 61. Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Minister of Transport what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the relations between central Government and the bodies responsible for the administration of the ports.
§ Mr. PeytonAs I explained during the debate yesterday on the Harbours (Amendment) Bill, I would wish to complete my study of the problems of the ports before making any further statement.
§ Mr. MurrayCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out no prospect for early modernisation of our ports or for the implementation of schemes of rationalisation such as the integration of the Forth-Clyde Ports Authority? Are we to have no early action?
§ Mr. PeytonThe hon. Member has, I think, misread my answer.
§ Mr. BerryIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the decision not to go ahead with nationalisation of the ports will be welcomed by the public at large, particularly as it was to cost £70 million? Is he aware that among the smaller ports this will remove an element of uncertainty and that they will be particularly pleased about that?
§ Mr. PeytonI think my hon. Friend shows his usual discernment.
§ Mr. EdwardsHas the right hon. Gentleman any plans for changing the administration of Milford Haven?
§ Mr. PeytonI would rather not be tempted into discussing any particular port today.
§ Mr. Walter JohnsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this delay in presenting his proposals for ports reorganisation is causing widespread concern and unnecessary anxiety to management and staff and this in turn is affecting industrial relations within the industry?
§ Mr. PeytonI know that the hon. Gentleman was not present in the last Parliament, but perhaps he has ignored the fact that quite a long time has been spent without this problem being solved. Certainly it is not one which has become a problem overnight.