Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has received from the Port of London Authority for financial help to deal with the urgent problems revealed in its recent annual report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoramThe Port of London Authority has asked for Government assistance in obtaining financial resources of about £60 million for restructuring the port of London, including the possibility of grants to meet restructuring and closure costs. This is to enable it to implement the strategy that the authority believes would restore the port to viability at the earliest practicable date.
The main elements in this strategy are the transfer of PLA cargo-handling operations from the Royal group of docks to India, Millwall and Tilbury docks 331W during the first half of 1979; the retention of India and Millwall docks for a further period, subject to successful performance, under strictly monitored conditions; and manpower reductions of some 2,000.
As the House will realise, my right hon. Friend has only just received the PLA's proposals and has not yet had any opportunity to consider or discuss them with his ministerial colleagues. Neither the PLA's proposals nor any of the alternatives have therefore yet been considered, and the Government have reached no view on them. When we do so, we shall take all economic, social and environmental factors into account in deciding how best to help. My right hon. Friend is very fully aware of the anxieties of all concerned. The Government share the aim of a stable future for the port of London and greatly welcome the constructive spirit in which so many people have approached this crisis.