HC Deb 23 March 1979 vol 964 cc791-2W
Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when, and on what basis, he had consultation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions or individual unions on the Government's proposals to reconstitute the Belfast harbour board.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has agreed to reconstitute the Belfast harbour board on the lines set out by the chairman of the commissioners in his letter to the Department on 20 December 1978.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons at present serving on the Belfast harbour board he intends to nominate for the newly constituted board.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the total number of persons nominated by his Department to serve on the new harbour board in Belfast; how many are now serving on the present board; and how many trade union interests will be nominated by his Department.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the present chairman of the Belfast harbour commissioners and 11 of the current commissioners will be nominated by his Department to serve on the newly created board.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he proposes to make a maximum retiring age for newly appointed commissioners to serve on the Belfast harbour board.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, in view of the fact that Belfast harbour commissioners do not provide any public silo facilities similar to those provided at other major ports in Great Britain, thus impeding the importation of bulk grains and similar cargoes for the Northern Ireland agricultural market, he proposes to take action to remedy the situation under his proposed legislation for Belfast harbour.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.