§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the safety implications of Associated British Ports' intermittent discontinuing of traffic controls on Newport docks and the River Usk estuary.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe operation from Newport pierhead of a radio information service for vessels is a matter for Associated British Ports. I understand that this information service is at present operated for 24 hours a day on weekdays, and also at the weekend whenever vessels are using Newport docks. During the periods of operation the service is available at the request of Newport harbour commissioners also to vessels using the River Usk. Vessels are in any event obliged to comply with the Collision Regulations as modified by harbour byelaws relating to navigation within the area of the relevant harbour authority.