Records of the National Ports Council

DK

1963-1981

Records of the National Ports Council, created in 1964 to oversee and advise on harbour matters will be found in DK 1

Not Public Record(s)

English

1 series

No records held at The National Archives in this departmental code

from 1983 to 1991 Department of Transport

The National Ports Council was created under the Harbours Act 1964, although it was initially appointed as a non-statutory body by the Minister of Transport in July 1963. The council was funded mainly from a levy on harbour authorities and its function was to report to the Secretary of State for Transport on matters relating to harbour development, regulation and administration.

Though its role was essentially an advisory one, the council had specific powers in relation to harbour organisation and the constitution of harbour authorities and was empowered to sponsor research, training and education in the ports industry.

On December 12 1977, the Secretary of State for Transport announced his view that the Council could achieve no further improvements in the efficiency of the country's ports. As a result, the council was finally wound up in November 1981 under the Transport Act ot that year.