§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints about charges on scheduled United Kingdom territorial ferry services he has received; and if he will list them.
§ Mr. PortilloMy right hon. Friend has received complaints from my hon. Friend about charges made under the Pilotage Act 1987 by the city of Portsmouth to Solent Cruises and Wight Line Cruises and by the Cowes harbour commissioners to the Red Funnel Group; and from another hon. Member about such charges made by the city of Portsmouth to Gosport Ferry Limited. I understand that following discussions between the city of Portsmouth and Solent and Wight Line Cruises an acceptable arrangement has been reached in those cases.
My right hon. Friend has received no objection under section 10 of the Pilotage Act 1987 about charges made on ferry services operating entirely within United Kingdom territorial waters or between the mainland and United Kingdom offshore islands.