HC Deb 13 April 1984 vol 58 cc395-6W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he intends to take following the ending of control over harbour developments, to ensure that promoters of schemes hitherto controlled under section 9 of the Harbours Act 1964 make adequate financial and other arrangements to ensure that once started the works can be completed without detriment to other existing harbour undertakings; if he will list his powers to enforce these steps; and if he will make a statement on the specific application in the case of the proposals of Falmouth Container Terminal Limited.

Mr. Ridley

I have no powers to enforce such steps either now or after the ending of the authorisation procedure. In the case of the proposed Falmouth Container Terminal the promoters are willing to enter into negotiations with the existing undertakings in the Fal estuary on matters of mutual concern, including the question of arrangements to ensure the completion of the project.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many applications have been received since 1979 for the approval of harbour projects under section 9 of the Harbours Act 1964; what they were; what their capital value was; which have been disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the future of all pending applications.

Mr. Ridley

There have been 34 applications for authorisation since the general election of 1979. Of these, 23 have been approved, eight withdrawn or not proceeded with, one refused and two are pending. The applications, with their cost (as estimated at the time of application) are as follows. I propose to take no further action on the two applications currently before me.

Location Description Estimated cost
£ million
AUTHORISATIONS GRANTED UNDER SECTION 9
1979 Applications
Mersey Combi terminal 6.5
Tees Oil jetty 1.8
Sullom Voe Finger pier and slipway 1.7
Runcorn Wharf and shiploader 1.5
Garston Coaling appliances 1.2
Aberdeen Reconstruction of quay 2.5
Medway Reclamation of part of Lappel Bank and improvement to ro/ro 2.4

Location Description Estimated cost
£ million
Cromarty Firth Construction of oilfield supply base 4.0
1980 Applications
Forth Jetty 8.0
Forth Two jetties and dredging 30.0
Dartford Ro/Ro development (in principle only) 13.6
Dover Jetfoil terminal 2.0
Ipswich Container berth 5.2
1981 Applications
Harwich Reclamation of Bathside Bay 25.0
Forth Jetty 3.5
Portsmouth Ferry port development 8.0
Workington Coal handling terminal 3.4
1982 Applications
Tyne Coal handling terminal 10.5
Dover Improvement to passenger handling facilities 7.8
Poole Extension of ferry terminal 6.5
Harwich Works at Parkeston Quay 4.9
Immingham LPG Jetty (in principle only) 6.8
1983 Application
Dover Reclamation of Camber 10.2
APPLICATIONS REFUSED
1982 Application
Falmouth Container terminal 70.0
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN OR NOT PROCEEDED WITH
1979 Applications
Aberdeen Reconstruction of quay 1.2
1980 Applications
Medway Development of Frindsbury peninsular 3.3
Harwich Reclamation of Bathside Bay and construction of a berth 40.0
London Development of berth 3.2
Portsmouth Development of ferry terminal 11.0
Felixstowe Freightliner terminal 4.1
Ipswich Container berth 5.1
1981 Application
Harwich Train-ferry berth 9.2
APPLICATIONS PENDING
1983 Application
Falmouth Container terminal 70.0
1984 Application
Harwich Deepening the Felixstowe sea approaches 8.5

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the order revoking the Control of Harbour Development Orders which gave effect to section 9 of the Harbours Act 1964 will (a) be laid before Parliament and (b) come into effect.

Mr. Ridley

The Order will be laid on 17 April and come into operation on 9 May. The order will be subject to annulment procedure by virtue of section 54(2) of the Harbours Act 1964.