§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish information on the value of European Economic Community aid and other grants awarded to each harbour authority in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years, including brief details of projects undertaken.
§ Mr. David MitchellI regret that the answer to this question could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I shall write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to which harbours in the United Kingdom are(a) privately owned and (b) managed by companies which have shipping interests.
§ Mr. David MitchellThree shipping groups own and manage ports in the United Kingdom. Sealink UK has seven (Fishguard, Folkestone, Harwich (Parkeston Quay), Heysham, Holyhead, Newhaven, Stranraer); P&O three (Cairnryan, Felixstowe and Larne); and Caledonian MacBrayne (Scottish Transport Group) has 17 small ports in Scotland. Some other firms with shipping interests operate individual wharves or docks.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is a condition of European Economic Community aid to ports that berthing facilities may not be monopolised by a single shipping company; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellI understand that the European Commission accords low priority to applications to aid projects which serve a single user. So in practice such projects do not usually receive grants from the European regional development fund.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake an inquiry to establish whether ports and harbours which have been in receipt of public funding are being managed in the public interest; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellNo. Harbour authorities must run their harbours in accordance with the duties and powers conferred on them by Parliament in their local legislation.