§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the annual cost of the dredging of the River Clyde; which organisations and other parties make a contribution to this operation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 1 December 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the information on the past annual costs incurred by the Clyde port authority in dredging the River Clyde given in my reply to him of 15 April 1993.
It is the Government's policy that port authorities, including Clydeport Ltd. should manage their businesses on a commercial basis; and that the costs of dredging should be met by charges to the users of ports or by other parties who benefit from the dredging.
I understand that Clydeport Ltd. is discussing the cost of dredging the River Clyde with the principal users and beneficiaries of the river at this time. These discussions are commercially confidential.