HC Deb 27 November 1991 vol 199 cc505-6W
Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the timetables for each of the trust ports seeking privatisation; whether he expects the timetables to be adhered to; what obstacles to privatisation remain; and if he will set them out in a deposited paper in the Library.

Mr. McLoughlin

The proposed timetables for each of those trust port authorities at present seeking privatisation under the Ports Act 1991 are as follows:

  1. (i) Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority:
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    • 28 November 1991—closing date for final bids.
  2. (ii) Medway Ports Authority:
    • 20 December 1991—closing date for indicative bids.
    • 3 January 1992—shortlisting of final bidders.
    • 14 February 1992—closing date for final bids.
  3. (iii) Clyde Ports Authority:
    • 13 December 1991—closing date for representations on transfer scheme under section 9(6) of the Act.
    • 10 January 1992—closing date for indicative bids.
    • 17 January 1992—shortlisting of final bidders.
    • 14 February 1992—closing date for final bids.
  4. (iv) Port of London Authority (for Port of Tilbury):
    • 6 January 1992—closing date for indicative bids.
    • 13 January 1992—shortlisting of final bidders.
    • 17 February 1992—closing date for final bids.

Except where the timing is shown as being dependent on section 9(6) of the Act, the above dates represent in each case the best estimate by the port authority concerned of the main stages in their privatisation process and may be subject to change due to unforeseen events.

When each sale is finalised will depend on how quickly each port authority is able to make its recommendation to the Secretary of State as to the successful bidder and how quickly the Secretary of State is able to reach a decision on that recommendation.

It will be necessary for an order approved by a resolution of the House providing for a levy on disposals of land under section 17(8) of the Act to become effective before an individual privatisation, other than that of the port of Tilbury, can be completed. A draft of this order will be laid before the House very shortly.