§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what criteria the operators of the designated freeports in Britain have been selected and how many applications were received to operate the six freeports.
§ Lord CockfieldHer Majesty's Government selected the six experimental freeports on the basis of the criteria published on 27th July 1983. Copies of a press notice and supporting memorandum of guidance setting out these criteria were placed in the Library at that time. In addition to providing details of sites proposed, potential operators were required to demonstrate their expertise and financial backing.
Forty-five applications were received in all. This includes applications for sites other than those to be designated.>