Oral Answers to Questions

Steve Double Excerpts

Thursday 5th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

That is something we will certainly be looking at carefully.

[Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con)]

5. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on the level of transport-related activity at ports of the UK leaving the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)]

UK ports are adaptive and market-oriented. They are ready to facilitate growth in trade when we leave the EU. Over the medium and longer-term, patterns of maritime and inland traffic may be affected by the trade agreements we reach with the EU and with countries elsewhere. It is too early to predict in detail what those patterns will be, but ports nationwide are prepared for all likely eventualities.

[Steve Double]

The stunningly picturesque river port of Fowey is a magnet for visitors by both land and sea, but it is also a busy commercial port that ships the world’s finest china clay around the world. How will the Department’s recently published port connectivity study assist small river ports like Fowey?

[Chris Grayling]

As we plan infrastructure improvements over the coming years, I want us to look at how we best connect, in the most effective way possible, the ports upon which our country depends, both large and small. Of course, my hon. Friend will be aware that we are already demonstrating our commitment to improving the road network in his area, with the planned completion of the new link road up to the A30.