Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department received an application (a) from or (b) on behalf of the Royal Docks in the London Borough of Newham to become a free port; and what assessment his Department has made of the feasibility of the Royal Docks becoming a free port.

We recently published the bidding prospectus for Freeports in England, setting out how ports can apply for Freeport status, and further details on our proposals for the policy. Areas across England, including air, rail and sea ports, have until the 5 February 2021 to submit bids for Freeport status. Successful locations will be announced in the spring following a fair, open and transparent assessment process.