HL Deb 25 May 1971 vol 319 cc1140-2WA
THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can now announce their intentions for the future role and composition of the National Ports Council.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

With effect from June 15, Mr. Philip Chappell, one of the Managing Directors of Morgan Grenfell and Co., Ltd., will become part-time Chairman of the National Ports Council in succession to Sir Arthur Kirby. Mr. Jack Jones is being reappointed as Deputy Chairman.

New members of the Council will be Mr. Florian O. P. Brann, Mr. A. G. B. Burney, Sir William Lithgow and Mr. D. E. A. Pettit. Existing members of the Council who will continue to serve for varying periods are Mr. F. B. Bolton, Mr. L. J. Reynolds. Mr. A. W. Suddaby and Mr. J. Morris Gifford, the Council's Director-General. These changes are designed to reinforce the Council's independent advisory role: no member of the Council will in future be a member of any port authority.

In the Government's view the Council has a major and increasingly important role to play in strengthening the ports industry. I have invited it to formulate in collaboration with the ports a programme of action which should include:

  1. (a) improvements in management, finance and commercial methods; reform of tariff structure; co-ordination of costing and accounting procedures; the setting of realistic financial objectives; the elimination 1141 of loss-making activities and the phasing-out of obsolescent facilities;
  2. (b) management development and training throughout the industry, including careers structure; a central clearing-house for management posts;
  3. (c) Changes in the boards of the major public trust ports; in the direction of smaller boards, with more executive members.

The Council will of course continue to advise the Government on control of capital investment and other matters under the Harbours Act 1964, including research and development and adequate access to ports by road and rail. I intend to invite them also to offer advice and assistance on methods of securing improvements in the present organisation of cargo-handling.

I do not think it necessary at this stage to seek additional statutory powers for the Council. I prefer instead to rely on the close co-operation and understanding between port authorities and the Council which I have every confidence will be forthcoming.