§ 9. Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on employment at the Port of Belfast. [117379]
§ Mr. IngramI am advised that the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, who are the Harbour Authority for the Port of Belfast, directly employ 133 people at present. Within the Harbour Estate, as a whole, it is estimated that about 15,000 people are employed in a wide range of industrial and commercial activity.
§ 11. Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of the port of Belfast. [117381]
§ Mr. IngramA proposal by Belfast Harbour Commissioners involving the transfer of the Port of Belfast to the private sector, with a view to establishing a public/private partnership, with Government retaining a "golden" share interest, is under consideration. A further option, involving the restructuring of the port while retaining its true port status, is also being examined at present.
Given the vital role of the port in relation to the Northern Ireland economy, its future is a matter of considerable importance not only to the port authority and port users, but also to those in industry and commerce in Northern Ireland.