§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of the Thames piers presently owned and operated by the Greater London council.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIn a consultation document issued last July, it was proposed that the piers be transferred to the boroughs in which they are situated. Representations have since been received from a number of interested parties stressing the importance of the piers to passenger and pleasure boat operators on the Thames and hence to the amenity and leisure uses of the river. The function of promoting such uses of the Thames rests with the Thames water authority. We have therefore reached the view that the most appropriate successor authority for the piers would be the Thames water authority, which is willing to take them on and operate them.