§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made with the privatisation of trust ports. [3048]
§ Mr. MossThe Ports (Northern Ireland) Order came into effect on 2 January 1995. This measure enables the Northern Ireland trust ports to bring forward privatisation schemes. It also provides reserve powers for the Department to initiate the privatisation of a port with a turnover in excess of £5 million, but these powers are not exercisable until two years after the order came into effect.