Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Minister of Transport what representations have been made to him by the dock unions regarding the proposed closure of the Surrey Docks, for which his approval has been sought; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. MulleyIn January I met representatives of the Transport and General Workers' Union, the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers, the National and Local Government Officers' Association and the Watermen, Lighter-men, Tugmen and Bargemen's Union, accompanied by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bermondsey (Mr. Mellish).
The unions raised various objections of principle to closure of the Surrey Commercial Docks and expressed the view 149W that the docks could be made an economic proposition. They suggested that the docks should remain open for an experimental period during which unions and management could work to improve their prospects. I explained that my formal standing was confined to consideration of the Port of London's application for my approval of its proposal to close the docks under the "safeguarding" provisions in Schedule 4 of the Ports Bill. Apart from this, a decision whether or not to close the docks was a matter of management for the Port of London Authority.
The unions subsequently put their views to me in writing, and I forwarded copies of those views to the authority. The authority's director-general later met representatives of the unions in order to discuss their suggestions, and the authority has provided me with a report of those discussions.
Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Minister of Transport what representations have been made to him by the Port of London Authority regarding the proposed closure of the Surrey Docks, for which his approval has been sought; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. MulleyI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply by the Prime Minister to his Question on 9th April, 1970. I have not yet notified the authority of my decision.—[Vol. 799, c. 124–5.]
Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Minister of Transport what representations have been made to him by shipping companies arising from the proposed closure of the Surrey Docks, for which 150W his approval has been sought; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. MulleyNone.
Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Minister of Transport what representations have been made to him by port employers arising from the proposed closure of the Surrey Docks, for which his approval has been sought; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. MulleyNone.