§ Mr. Wardasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about marine pilotage.
§ Mr. RidleyFor the past 2½ years the Pilotage Commission with the assistance of Messrs. Samuel Montagu and Co. has been discussing with representatives of the pilots and the shipowners the terms of a voluntary severance scheme for marine pilots. Unfortunately it has not proved possible to reach agreement on such a scheme.
I have therefore reviewed the whole question and I have concluded that the present statutory arrangements for pilotage, which have remained substantially unchanged since 1913, are inappropriate to present day requirements, and impose an unnecessary financial burden on the shipping industry.
I am today publishing a Green Paper containing proposals for a reform of pilotage legislation and am inviting views of the various groups affected. I have placed copies of the Green Paper in the Library. Copies are also available in the Vote Office.
The central feature of my proposals is the abolition of the present structure of pilotage authorities and pilotage committees, and the placing on harbour authorities of the responsibility for settling local arrangements for pilotage and for the provision of pilotage services into and out of their harbours. The statutory responsibilities of the Secretary of State would be much reduced.
The proposals envisage a statutory compensation scheme for pilots whose services are not required under the new regime: the scheme will be financed by shipping using United Kingdom ports. The Pilotage Commission will eventually be abolished, but I hope it will remain in being to assist with the transitional problems that will arise. Trinity House will cease to be a pilotage authority as such, but all harbour authorities will be free to engage Trinity House to assist them in meeting their new responsibilities if they choose.
I am confident that these proposals offer the chance of a new framework which will allow the provision of safe and efficient pilotage services in the future, while at the same time dealing equitably with existing members of a profession which can look back with pride on a distinguished tradition.