§ Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the present position in respect of the application by the trustees of the Ouse Navigation for a pilotage order for the Upper Ouse River.
§ Mr. Tebbit:My right hon. Friend has given his consent—(under section 7(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979)—to the trustees publishing a draft of the Ouse and Foss Pilotage Order. This is the first stage in the statutory process. When the draft is published objections to its proposals may be made by interested parties within the stipulated period. After that I expect my right hon. Friend will invite the Pilotage Commission to consider the draft and any admissible objections to it and to make their recommendations to him. Then, depending upon whether the objections are withdrawn or remain outstanding, the order will be subject either to negative resolution in either House or to special procedure.