§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what change there has been in(a) operating costs and (b) profits to port employers since the abolition of the dock labour scheme.
§ Mr. McLoughlinPort employers' operating costs will reflect the fact that since 1988, when the estimated total wage bill of registered dock workers was £175 million, some three quarters of them have been made redundant. A fuller picture of the benefits of abolition will emerge during the next few weeks, as port authorities publish their financial results for 1990.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what reduction there has been in dock dues to port customers since the abolition of the dock labour scheme.
§ Mr. McLoughlinRates charged by ports to their main customers are a commercial matter between those parties.