Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 December 2002. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Monday, 9 December 2002 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reasons his Department seeks the powers (a) to issue directive, (b) to obtain information and (c) to issue a code of practice detailed in the draft Harbours (Northern Ireland) Order 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons his Department seeks the powers (a) to issue directive, (b) to obtain information and (c) to issue a code of practice detailed in the draft Harbours (Northern Ireland) Order 2002; and if he will make a statement. [86175] Angela Smith: The main reasons for providing this legislation are to further improve the public accountability of Northern Ireland trust ports and to enable the Department for Regional Development to better safeguard the public interest in relation to their commercial activities. The proposals were advocated by the Regional Development Committee of the former Northern Ireland Assembly following the completion of an inquiry into a development proposal in Belfast Harbour.

Secondary information