Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Brown and John Hayes

Thursday 23rd October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hayes]

Yes, I had indeed heard about that fatality, and I obviously offer my commiserations and condolences to all concerned. My hon. Friend has been consistent in this campaign. In July, he asked the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr Goodwill), a very similar question. I know that he has prioritised improvements to the road. I will look closely at the matter again, and we will do our very best for him.

[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

rose—

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[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

T8. What are the Minister’s proposals for the future structures of trust ports?

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mr John Hayes)]

The right hon. Gentleman will know that trust ports are an important part of our ports sector. They have no shareholders and plough their profits back into the port for the benefit of stakeholders. Since the modernisation of trust port guidance was published in 2009 a lot of work has been done, but I think it is time to re-evaluate the current effectiveness of trust ports and to update our guidance. A trust port study is therefore being undertaken to look at these matters. Officials are working closely with trust ports to that effect.