§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the current level of service on the Woolwich ferry; and what steps he is taking to improve it.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAs I said in my answer to the hon. Member on 23 June 1986 at column61, Greenwich borough council is operating the Woolwich ferry as our agent and questions on its day-to-day operation should be addressed to the council.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish the consultant's report on the future of the Woolwich ferry.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI expect to receive the consultants' final report very soon now. I shall then decide what steps to take.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet representatives of the London borough of Greenwich and the staff of Woolwich ferry to discuss its future operations.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWhen I have considered the findings and recommendations of the consultants' final report I shall discuss these with the London borough of Greenwich. It is for Greenwich to have discussions with its work force.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport on how many days since 1 April the Woolwich ferry has been subject to disruption; and how many scheduled crossings have been lost.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyUp to 8 July, disruption has occurred on 93 days. Around 6,600 crossings have been lost.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate the numbers of staff employed on the Woolwich ferry in each grade at the most recent convenient date together with the comparative numbers at the same date in 1986, 1985 and 1984.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe staff are employed by the London borough of Greenwich. Questions about staff numbers should be addressed to the council.
We assumed responsibility for the ferry on 1 April 1986 at which date, Greenwich took over the following complement, which is still operative.
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Number Ferry Operatives Captain 5 Mate 5 Engineer 6 Leading Deckhand 6 Deckhand 15 Relief Deckhand 9 Shipkeeper 10 C/H Traffic Controller 6 Traffic Controller 6 Relief Traffic Controller 6 Car Park Attendant 2 Ferry Workshops Electrician Chargehand 4 Plumber 2 Fitter Chargehand 1 Fitter 5 Shipwright Chargehand 1 Shipwright 4 Boilermaker 2 Painter Chargehand 1 Painter 2 Semi Skilled Engineering Workers 18 Management/Administration Assistant Director 0.5 Ferry Manager 1 Assistant Ferry Manager 1 Manager Maintenance and Technical Support 1 Workshop Manager 1 Assistant Workshop Manager 1 Electrical Engineering Assistant 1 Marine Engineer 1 Vehicle Controller 0.4 Senior Administrative Officer 1 Administrative Assistant 1 Bonus Clerk 1 Administrative Assistant/Typist 1 Senior Storekeeper 1 Stores Assistant 2 Stores Clerk 2 We have no comparative figures prior to abolition.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the current level of service on the Woolwich ferry; and what has been his response.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI have received two letters from members of the public. Questions on the day-to-day operation of the ferry are a matter for the London borough of Greenwich as the Department's agent.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport what comments he has received from the London borough of Greenwich about the consultant's report on the future of the Woolwich ferry.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe London borough of Greenwich contributed to the review by consultants of the Woolwich ferry. We will discuss the final report with Greenwich.