§ Mr. Muddasked the Secretary of State for Transport what decision he has reached regarding the continuation of the procedure of section 9 of the Harbours Act 1964.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1984, c. 316]: I have decided that it is no longer appropriate for the Government to retain this regulatory control over harbour developments costing more than £3 million. 32W
Numbers of articulated HGV's which jack-knifed in accidents 1980 1981 1982 448 431 410 The numbers of vehicle occupants of jackknifing articulated HGV's and of pedestrians hit by them are:
I believe that the pattern of port development should be determined on commercial criteria. While the control remains it implies a degree of second-guessing of market forces, and the authorisation of particular projects risks distorting the market's view of the commercial risks involved.
I therefore propose to seek power at an early opportunity to repeal section 9 of the Harbours Act 1964. Meanwhile, to give immediate effect to this decision, I intend shortly to lay before the House an order to revoke the Control of Harbour Development Orders which give effect to section 9.
The effect of this decision will be to enable promoters of port development to proceed with such projects provided they can attract the necessary financial backing, subject only to their compliance with other relevant statutory requirements. Port investment by local authorities and nationalised industries will however continue to be subject to existing Government controls on their expenditure.