§ Mr. Alan JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's ports policy. [71995]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government look to the ports industry to play an important role in the development of their integrated transport policy. This will involve the promotion of environmental sustainable transport and the regeneration of local communities in which ports have traditionally made a contribution.
609WWe believe that all ports should be publicly accountable for their statutory powers and duties. Accountability must become a much more open process than at present, and shared with all stakeholders, not just users.
Safety cannot be left to chance. Lives and property must be protected. So, too, must port environments because many port facilities are close to important and sensitive habitats. There must be a more considered approach to port safety if acceptable standards are to be achieved throughout the industry.
We must ensure that trust ports fulfil their obligations to all the interests entrusted to them. A separate consultation paper has been issued on these proposals and responses are now being considered. The Government believe, however, that trust port status confers special obligations on these ports to operate openly and with full regard to the interests of their local communities. Without open accountability, it is not clear how fully this is achieved; the evidence suggests that in many cases it is not.
The Department is preparing a comprehensive ports policy paper and an invitation to comment has been released today. I have placed a copy of the consultation document in the Library.