HC Deb 05 April 1978 vol 947 cc431-2
19. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the current organisation of the docks in relation to the operation of his transport policies.

32. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the current organisation of the docks in relation to the operation of his transport policies.

Mr. William Rodgers

Many of our ports—which is what I assume the hon. Members have in mind—are performing efficiently and well, but overall organisation is another matter.

Mr. Ridsdale

Is the Minister aware that when practical questions affecting commercial decisions have been put to him on the Dock Work Regulation Scheme, his answers have been nothing less than waffle? Is it his intention to implement the Act, or will he get rid of what is an unworkable Act as soon as possible?

Mr. Rodgers

I must confess—this may be my shortcoming—that I was not aware that the Dock Work Regulation Act was within my ministerial responsibilities. I shall certainly look into this matter. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular anxiety, I shall have it explored.

Mr. Heffer

Does my right hon. Friend agree that at the earliest possible moment, when we have a Labour Government with a good, handsome majority, we should bring the ports under public ownership, in accordance with the national ports policy as proposed by the Labour Party and by Labour Governments over the years? This is long outstanding in order to deal with the national ports problems that we have at present.

Mr. Rodgers

My hon. Friend is quite right to remind the House that this commitment remains. In the meantime, I am doing my very best in the circumstances to ensure that our ports are, as far as possible, efficient within the present organisation.

Mr. Norman Fowler

Was it not made absolutely clear in the case of Felixstowe that there was no demand, either in the industry or outside, for further ports nationalisation? Surely the overwhelming need is for stability. Given that, will the Secretary of State say precisely what advantages he sees from extending the public sector in this area?

Mr. Rodgers

If the hon. Gentleman wishes to generalise from the case of Felixstowe, I must tell him that I could very readily generalise from the cases of the Port of London and the Port of Liverpool, for example, where representations have been made to me quite recently about the need for a change of ownership.

I think that we should look overall at the needs of the ports. I am not saying that ownership is the only question that is relevant to efficiency, but we must have a port industry that is well equipped to meet the demands. In some respects it has had a very sorry history, particularly in industrial relations.