HC Deb 23 April 1991 vol 189 c1038

Amendment proposed:No. 11 , in page 15, line 38, at end insert— `( ) Together with a scheme submitted under subsection (1) above the Port Authority shall submit to the Secretary of State a copy of the memorandum and articles of the company.'.—[Mr. McLoughlin.]

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this, it will be convenient to consider Government amendments Nos. 12 and 13.

Mr. Barry Field

This amendment is the result of an undertaking given by my hon. Friend the Minister in Committee, at column 302 of Hansardfor 7 March 1991, in response to an amendment in my name, but moved by my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Mr. Moate) with his characteristic generosity and kindness, as I was unfortunately absent.

That amendment stemmed from representations by the London General Shipowners Society, and despite the fact that my hon. Friend the Minister conceded the point with which it dealt, the society continued to be concerned that Tilbury was not to be subject to advertising in part II of the Bill, in the same way as the other ports are, in part I.

My hon. Friend tackled that issue in Committee by saying that Tilbury will effectively be privatised when the Bill goes on to the statute book, whereas other ports have yet to come forward.

12.15 am

Donald Chard, the secretary of the London General Shipowners Society, which is quite an ancient society, as my hon. Friend knows, is still worried about that aspect of part II. Perhaps my hon. Friend might consider writing to him to try to reassure him about it. He continues to believe that by not advertising that aspect of the Bill in the same way as for ports covered in part I, something may be missed from the future consultation process.

My hon. Friend answered questions in Committee. I hope that he will be able to meet the concerns of the London General Shipowners Society.

Mr. McLoughlin

I assure my hon. Friend that I shall write to the gentleman he mentioned to set out the Government's position.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendments made:No. 12, in page 15, line 39, leave out `submitted under subsection (1) above' and insert 'so submitted'.

No. 13, in page 16, line 6, at end insert— `( ) Before—

  1. (a) confirming a scheme so submitted (with or without modifications); or
  2. (b) making a scheme of his own under subsection (4)(b) above;
the Secretary of State may first (if he thinks fit) give the Port Authority a direction requiring them, before such date as may be specified in the direction, to secure that such alterations are made to the memorandum and articles of the company as may be specified in the direction.'.—[Mr. McLoughlin.]

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