§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what harbour improvements for fishery and other purposes, respectively, are in progress and are planned.
§ Mr. ConcannonThe new port of Warrenpoint is nearing completion and major improvement programmes are in hand, or planned for Belfast and Larne. Local authorities with the assistance of Government funds are carrying out maintenance, improvement and remedial works at seven small harbours. A dredging programme is planned for Coleraine, and a report on improving the harbour facilities at Rathlin Island is in preparation. In addition, a technical survey has been undertaken to determine how Northern Ireland's small harbours can best be brought up to a reasonable standard of repair.
As regards the main fishing harbours of Kilkeel, Portavogie and Ardglass, dredging operations are in progress at the first, and improvements to the facilities of all three harbours are planned for the near future. I will write to the hon. Member sending him details of the above schemes.