Written statement to Parliament

City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal

An update on a proposal to alter the use of the city of Liverpool cruise terminal and Liverpool city council's repayment of grants.

• From: Department for Transport and The Rt Hon Sir Mike Penning
• Published: 26 January 2012

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

• Delivered on: 26 January 2012

The department consulted last year on a proposal from Liverpool city council to alter the use of the city of Liverpool cruise terminal. The department proposed to lift its objection to the removal of a grant condition that precludes use of the city of Liverpool cruise terminal for turnaround (start or end of cruise) operations, in return for the phased repayment of £5.3 million of grants. In the light of that consultation, I find that there are persuasive arguments that this level of repayment would be insufficient to reflect the adverse impact on competition with other ports. I therefore intend shortly to seek independent advice on a more appropriate figure.

I will report further to the House when I have reached a decision on the DfT objection. As Liverpool city council is aware, turnaround operations would also require state aid clearance from the European Commission.

Meanwhile, turnaround cruise operations continue to be permitted at Langton Dock in Liverpool.

Published 26 January 2012