§ Sir Julian Ridsdaleasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has now completed his consideration of the responses to the Government's consultative document on marine pilotage.
§ Mr. David Mitchell:I am grateful to all those who have submitted comments on the document, and I am considering them most carefully. It will necessarily be a little time before the proposed new arrangements can be settled, and in the meantime I have decided to give the leading parties concerned with pilotage an opportunity to reflect on the comments of the other leading parties and to put forward any new suggestions which could be expected to attract a consensus of support. I am accordingly arranging, with the leading parties agreement, for their comments to be made publicly available. Copies will be placed in the Library, and can also be obtained on application to my Department.