§ 3.8 p.m.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a third time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read a third time.—(Viscount Davidson.)
§ Lady Saltoun of AbernethyMy Lords, I do not suppose that it very often happens that when a harbour order confirmation Bill is passed through this House the feudal superior, who is ex officio one of the harbour commissioners, is a Member of this House and is present, as I am today. My ancestor, Alexander Fraser, constructed the first harbour at Faithlie before 1546, and in 1592 his grandson, who had improved it further, obtained a charter from King James VI creating Faithlie a Burgh of Regality with a free port to be known in all time coming as the Burgh and Port de Fraser. In the 19th century the harbour was much improved and enlarged, and improvements continued into this century until Fraserburgh became the biggest herring port in the country.
Recently the growth of oil-related and commercial traffic has made further improvements necessary. This Bill, and the two following, will enable them to be made. We have waited a long time for them—too long—so all the more warmly do I now welcome them, on behalf of the Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners and the people of Fraserburgh, for the employment they will bring and the hope of renewed prosperity. I suppose it would be too much to hope that one day Fraserburgh might regain its status as a free port.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lady, Lady Saltoun, for so warmly welcoming this Bill. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to make any promises about Fraserburgh becoming a free port, but I am sure that your Lordships will agree that we have been very privileged to be present in this Chamber this afternoon for what is clearly an historic occasion.
§ On Question, Bill read a third time, and passed.