§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretay of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report the results of his study of the levels of subsidy of port charges provided either by central Government or local authorities for continental ports such as Hamburg and Rotterdam.
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§ Mr. David Mitchell[pursuant to his reply, 7 November 1983, c. 26.] A comparison of costs, excluding the handling of cargo, at three British and four continental ports was carried out on behalf of the former National Ports Council and published by it in 1974. It showed that if the British ports had been operating under the continental financial conditions their charges could have been on average something like 30 per cent. lower. In addition, in most continental countries the cost of lighthouse services is met out of the state funds rather than by dues payable by ships entering and leaving port.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will raise the issue of subsidising port charges with other member countries of the European Community under the competition rules; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David Mitchell[pursuant to his reply, 7 November 1983, c. 26.] While the financing of ports differs between member states, and some costs borne by ships entering British ports are met elsewhere in the EC out of public funds, I have little evidence of the effect that these differences have on British ports. If the hon. Member has evidence that these matters bring about a significant disadvantage to British ports, perhaps she would write to me.