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Written question asked by Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party) on Wednesday, 15 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 November 2023 (named day). It was answered by Jacob Young (Conservative) on Monday, 20 November 2023 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Freeports: Infrastructure

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has issued guidance on responsibility for (a) upgrading and (b) enhancing port infrastructure in freeports.

Answer

Decisions regarding port infrastructure enhancement primarily lie with port operators, who will determine what is needed on a commercial and operational basis In terms of guidance, the Department for Transport publishes three core documents to support the ports sector: the Port Marine Safety Code, last updated in 2016 (with an update due in early 2024), the Guide to Good Practice on Port Marine Operations, last updated in 2018 (with an update due in mid-2024), and the Ports Good Governance Guide, last published in 2018. None of these documents are statutory. It should also be noted that port policy is devolved.

Freeports benefit from a comprehensive package of government funding and incentives, which can be strategically used in those areas, to upgrade local infrastructure, to foster economic growth and competitiveness, including for port operators involved in a Freeport. Decisions on how or what to upgrade in terms of individual Freeports, will be taken by the Freeport and relevant partners.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
2213
Session
2023-24
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Infrastructure Freeports
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk