§ Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation for reforming the method of appointing the executive authority of clocks, harbours and similar public boards, with a view to obtaining business and technical efficiency rather than the representation of interests?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONAs the hon. Member is probably aware, most docks and harbours are managed either by local authorities, statutory companies or public trusts. The constitution of such trusts usually provides for the 1109W appointment or election of members, partly by public authorities and partly by users of the port, and not infrequently for the appointment of representatives by Government Departments. The position in regard to these matters necessarily varies widely as between different ports, but I do not think it can be said that bodies so composed fail generally to obtain business and technical efficiency, and I do not at present contemplate the introduction of general legislation.