§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a progress report on the discussions at the Economic Development Committee for International Freight Movement in so far as these relate to port matters.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe committee continues to take relevant port matters into consideration, along with the many 175W other aspects of international freight movement. Users have recently been given the opportunity to comment on ports in the context of a current study of through transport to and from Europe and beyond.
§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Transport which port authorities have not as yet introduced ship dues on the basis of gross register tonnage; and if he is satisfied with the reasons given by these authorities for not accepting this system.
§ Mr. William RodgersI understand that during 1976 most port authorities made the necessary consequential adjustments to their charges to comply with the British Ports Association's recommendation that ships dues be based on gross register tonnage. Port authorities are, of course, under no obligation at this stage to make such a change but I believe that, despite certain difficulties associated with the changeover, those who have not yet introduced the new system are making every effort to do so.