§ 9. Mr. Nealeasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the severance scheme in the ports of London and Liverpool.
§ Mr. FowlerBy this morning, 957 registered dock workers in the port of London, and 1,132 in the port of Liverpool, had applied for severance under the special arrangements.
§ Mr. NealeI am obliged to my right hon. Friend. Will he confirm that the scheme comes to an end at the end of this month? Will he further confirm that, despite the public's concern about the amount of money involved, securing these severances is vital for the future of those ports?
§ Mr. FowlerI confirm both those points. The scheme comes to an end tomorrow at midnight. There has been an encouraging response to this offer. Severances are crucial for the future of both ports.
§ Mr. Roy HughesDoes not the Secretary of State agree that this individualistic scheme has disregarded possible redundancy and efficiency schemes in other ports? Would it not be a good idea if the scheme was scrapped at the earliest possible opportunity so that normal industrial negotiations can proceed?
§ Mr. FowlerThe scheme comes to an end at midnight tomorrow. In that respect, I imagine that I have the support of the hon. Gentleman. We introduced a special scheme because of the special problems faced by both London and Liverpool. The response to the scheme has been encouraging, and is a good omen for the ports industry.
§ Mr. MoateDo not the figures totally vindicate my right hon. Friend's decision to introduce this special scheme, and totally demolish the argument put forward by the Opposition, who voted against it? When my right hon Friend introduced the scheme, he emphasised the critical nature of the financial position in the ports of London and Liverpool. Can he now say whether there will be any early change in the position, particularly in the port of London with regard to the maintenance of the Royals?
§ Mr. FowlerAs my hon. Friend has said, the figures entirely vindicate our position as well as the legislation that we proposed. The next step will be for Ministers next month to consider the results of the scheme, along with other information.
§ Mr. EasthamWas not the basis of the Opposition's objections the fact that the scheme gave preference to those two ports at a time when other ports faced the same difficulties and are justifiably asking the Government for some assistance?
§ Mr. FowlerObviously, I understand the request which has been made. However, no other ports are faced with the problem on the same scale as London and Liverpool, which is why we took this action in respect of those two ports.