Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Harbours (Seafarers’ Remuneration) Bill will apply equally to (a) private, (b) municipal and (c) trust ports.

The intention is for the Bill to introduce a requirement for in-scope service operators to provide declarations of compliance to Statutory Harbour Authorities (SHAs) with powers of inspection and investigation provided to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Additionally, the intention is for the Secretary of State to be able to direct SHAs to suspend access to non-compliant operators. The duties placed on ports will apply equally to all UK SHAs, regardless of whether the SHA is under Trust, municipal or private ownership.