§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has to meet freight forwarders at Cardiff-Wales airport to discuss future clearance arrangements for freight containers;
(2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that a day-night, seven-days-a-week service for deliveries from the freight transit terminal is provided at Cardiff-Wales airport;
(3) if he will make it his policy to seek the opinions of (a) inward investing firms and (b) the Confederation of British Industry in Wales concerning proposed changes to container and other freight clearance arrangements at Cardiff-Wales airport;
(4) if he will make a statement on the use of Cardiff-Wales airport as an approved clearance point for sea freight containers;
(5) what recent assessment has been made by his Department of the impact of the proposed changes to freight clearance arrangements at Cardiff-Wales airport upon (a) future throughput of freight, (b) levels of inward investment into Wales in future and (c) freight-forwarding agents based at the airport.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI have been asked to reply.
There are no plans for Ministers to meet freight forwarders at Cardiff-Wales airport. The head of the customs executive unit at Cardiff is responsible for approving freight clearance arrangements. It is customs policy to consult fully with trade interests.
Customs place no restrictions on the times of delivery of cleared cargo. This is a matter for the approved transit shed operator at Cardiff-Wales airport.
Approval for clearance of freight is a matter for customs in consultation with commercial interests. Since 1 July 246W 1993, clearance of seafreight removed to Cardiff-Wales airport has ceased as examination facilities there are unsuitable for standard shipping containers.
Nationally, customs are consulting trade interests through a joint consultative committee and trade associations on proposals for change to arrangements for freight clearance. No decisions have been taken in respect of Cardiff-Wales airport.