The Scottish Government

Transport Minister Sarah Boyack today welcomed the publication of the UK-wide ports policy paper, Modern Ports.

The paper presents a future strategy for devolved ports issues in Scotland, recognising its special circumstances and needs, in the context of a UK-wide policy.

In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister said:

"Ports are important to many areas of Scotland, especially in remote areas, and they make a vital contribution to the local and national economy.

"Devolution now allows the Scottish Executive to ensure the development of policies which can meet the distinctive needs of many of Scotland's ports, in particular to the needs and circumstances of the many ports and smaller harbours in Scotland involved in such vital local issues as delivering lifeline ferry services, fishing and servicing the needs of the oil industry.

"We have worked closely with our colleagues in Government and industry to produce a comprehensive strategy for the future development of our ports."

Modern Ports is a UK policy paper, agreed between the Department of Environment Transport and the Regions and the devolved Governments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. They will work together and with the industry, its users and other interests, to achieve four key objectives.

These are:

• To promote agreed national standards and good practice for port management and port operations alike, without detracting from the legal responsibilities of harbour authorities and other port interests

• To promote training and the recognition of skills for those who work in the ports industry at all levels - not just those employed by the harbour authorities

• To make regulation add value rather than unnecessary cost, ensuring that different regulators co-ordinate their overall demands

• To maintain a balanced policy on development which aims to make the best use of existing and former operational land, which secures high environmental standards but supports sustainable projects for which there is clear need

BACKGROUND

1. The full text of the Parliamentary Question and Ms Boyack's answer is as follows.

A ports policy paper, Modern Ports, has been published today and a copy has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (bib no 9874). The paper provides a comprehensive statement of future policy on a wide range of issues relating to the UK ports industry. It encompasses issues where the Executive has devolved responsibilities, and also issues which are reserved. It is therefore a joint UK-wide document combining these issues.

Ports are vital to Scotland's economy and international trade. They have an important role in our integrated transport policy. The Executive seeks to build on the many sound and well-established working relationships it already has with the industry.

The paper sets outs the key devolved ports responsibilities and policies. These policies recognise Scotland's special circumstances and needs. They also recognise our own integrated transport framework and strategy, the special needs of industries such as oil, fishing and lifeline ferry services in the Highlands and Islands, and how sustainability and environmental issues are addressed in Scotland. It puts other key policies identified in a Scottish context where necessary.

I am pleased that Modern Ports represents a UK-wide paper so that all of the strands of reserved and devolved policy can be brought together to provide a comprehensive strategy for the future development of ports in Scotland.

The paper commits the devolved Governments to work with UK Government, the industry, its users and other interests to achieve four key objectives:-

• to make regulation add value rather than unnecessary cost, ensuring that different regulators co-ordinate their overall demands;

• to promote agreed national standards and good practice for port management and port operations alike, without detracting from the legal responsibilities of harbour authorities and other port interests;

• to promote training and the recognition of skills for those who work in the ports industry at all levels - not just those engaged by harbour authorities;

• to maintain a balanced policy on development which aims to make the best use of existing and former operational land, secures high environmental standards, but supports sustainable projects for which there is a clear need.

2. Copies of the policy paper are available on the DETR website

www.shipping.detr.gov.uk

News Release: SE3052/2000
27 Nov 2000