To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers the Secretary of State has under the Pilotage Act 1987 to inspect, review or request information on the pilotage arrangements of competent harbour authorities; and whether those powers have been exercised since 2015.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers the Secretary of State has under the Pilotage Act 1987 to inspect, review or request information on the pilotage arrangements of competent harbour authorities; and whether those powers have been exercised since 2015.

To ask His Majesty's Government which statutory harbour authorities in England charge for overhanging residential balconies.

To ask His Majesty's Government which statutory harbour authorities in England charge for overhanging residential balconies.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2024-2025 had its First Reading in the House of Commons on 11 March 2025. Second Reading is scheduled for 24 March 2025. The Bill, and its Explanatory Notes, can be found on the Parliamentary website.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2024-2025 had its First Reading in the House of Commons on 11 March 2025. Second Reading is scheduled for 24 March 2025. The Bill, and its Explanatory Notes, can be found on the Parliamentary website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether P&O Ferries has responded to the request for an equivalence declaration from the harbour authority in (a) Larne, (b) Cairnryan, (c) Teesport, (d) Hull, (e) Tilbury and (f) Dover under section 5 of the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether P&O Ferries has responded to the request for an equivalence declaration from the harbour authority in (a) Larne, (b) Cairnryan, (c) Teesport, (d) Hull, (e) Tilbury and (f) Dover under section 5 of the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish which UK harbour authorities have requested declarations from ferry operators under the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish which UK harbour authorities have requested declarations from ferry operators under the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any harbour authority in the UK has issued a surcharge notification to a ferry operator under the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any harbour authority in the UK has issued a surcharge notification to a ferry operator under the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024.

Lords consideration of Commons amendments. Commons amendments 1 to 64 agreed to.

Lords consideration of Commons amendments. Commons amendments 1 to 64 agreed to.

My Lords, I begin by expressing my gratitude to all noble Lords for their thoughtful consideration of this important legislation. As the Bill progressed through your Lordships’ House and the other place, the Government listened carefully to concerns raised by parliamentarians, and we engaged further with stakeholders. The amendments before...

My Lords, I begin by expressing my gratitude to all noble Lords for their thoughtful consideration of this important legislation. As the Bill progressed through your Lordships’ House and the other place, the Government listened carefully to concerns raised by parliamentarians, and we engaged further with stakeholders. The amendments before...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for bringing these amendments. I confess that when the Bill finished its passage through this House, I felt rather depressed that I had not been able to convince the Government that there were some fundamental flaws, but the changes today show that the Government...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for bringing these amendments. I confess that when the Bill finished its passage through this House, I felt rather depressed that I had not been able to convince the Government that there were some fundamental flaws, but the changes today show that the Government...

My Lords, I am very pleased to support the Motion before the House today in the name of the Minister. The action taken by P&O Ferries was a national scandal which should have marked a line in the sand, and any attempt to prevent a repeat of such events will...

My Lords, I am very pleased to support the Motion before the House today in the name of the Minister. The action taken by P&O Ferries was a national scandal which should have marked a line in the sand, and any attempt to prevent a repeat of such events will...

Report stage. Government new clause 3 debated with new clause 2 and other new Government amendments, Government clauses and other amendments. New clause 3 agreed to. New clause 2 negatived on division (215 to 274). New clause 4 negatived on division (210 to 278). Clause 1, amendment 1 agreed to. Clause 3, amendment 24 negatived on division (213 to 285). Clause 3, amendment 25 agreed to. Clause 5, amendments 2 to 7 agreed to. Clause 6 as amended, agreed to. Clause 8, amendments 8 to 10 agreed to. Clause 7 as amended, agreed to. Clause 10, amendments 11 to 14 agreed to. Clause 11, amendments 15 to 17 and 26 agreed to. Clause 12, amendments 18 to 20 and 27 agreed to. Clause 13, amendment 28 agreed to. Clause 15, amendment 29 agreed to. Clause 16, amendment 21 agreed to. Clause 18, amendment 23 agreed to. Third reading. Agreed to on question. Bill passed, with amendments.

Report stage. Government new clause 3 debated with new clause 2 and other new Government amendments, Government clauses and other amendments. New clause 3 agreed to. New clause 2 negatived on division (215 to 274). New clause 4 negatived on division (210 to 278). Clause 1, amendment 1 agreed to....

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

2.12 pm

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

2.12 pm

It is a pleasure to report to the House, to move Government new clause 3, to speak to the other amendments and to be able to listen to the important debate we will have on the Bill’s remaining stages. Over the past few months, the Bill has been subject to...

It is a pleasure to report to the House, to move Government new clause 3, to speak to the other amendments and to be able to listen to the important debate we will have on the Bill’s remaining stages. Over the past few months, the Bill has been subject to...

I am grateful to the Minister for these amendments, as the issues to which they relate were raised by Opposition Members in Committee and on Second Reading. What is the position on the fines? Does he remember our discussion about whether level 4 fines are enough of a deterrent? A...

I am grateful to the Minister for these amendments, as the issues to which they relate were raised by Opposition Members in Committee and on Second Reading. What is the position on the fines? Does he remember our discussion about whether level 4 fines are enough of a deterrent? A...

I was about to address those amendments. After the hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members raised this in Committee, I said that I was looking at it.

I was about to address those amendments. After the hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members raised this in Committee, I said that I was looking at it.

I welcome the introduction of a criminal offence, but I wonder who will be prosecuted and held liable in that instance. Will it be a company director? At what level of the decision-making process will an individual be held liable? I would be happy if the Minister secures wisdom and...

I welcome the introduction of a criminal offence, but I wonder who will be prosecuted and held liable in that instance. Will it be a company director? At what level of the decision-making process will an individual be held liable? I would be happy if the Minister secures wisdom and...

I will address that point later in my speech.

On the point raised by the hon. Member for Easington (Grahame Morris), I agreed in Committee to consider raising the maximum penalty for harbour authorities guilty of failing to comply with their duties under the Bill—I think the right hon. Member for...

I will address that point later in my speech.

On the point raised by the hon. Member for Easington (Grahame Morris), I agreed in Committee to consider raising the maximum penalty for harbour authorities guilty of failing to comply with their duties under the Bill—I think the right hon. Member for...

I recognise that this measure was based on data carefully collected. However, does the Minister not accept that the figure of once a week would bring into scope an awful lot of shipping with seafarers who do have a close connection to the UK, and that once a week might...

I recognise that this measure was based on data carefully collected. However, does the Minister not accept that the figure of once a week would bring into scope an awful lot of shipping with seafarers who do have a close connection to the UK, and that once a week might...

I understand what the hon. Lady is saying and I will address that point directly in a moment, after I have gone through the main points of why we are pushing back on this suggestion. The rationale for the high-frequency criterion is to ensure that seafarers affected by the policy...

I understand what the hon. Lady is saying and I will address that point directly in a moment, after I have gone through the main points of why we are pushing back on this suggestion. The rationale for the high-frequency criterion is to ensure that seafarers affected by the policy...