PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
WHITEHORSE FERRIES LTD AND THE THAMES (8 July 1992)

That this House welcomes the plans of Whitehorse Ferries Ltd. to create new commuter services from Essex and Kent to Docklands and Central London that exploit the much underused River Thames as a transport route; considers that this pioneering venture opens exciting opportunities for other forms of modern river borne transport and communications as well as promoting healthy competition in transport; congratulates Whitehorse Ferries on the launch of their new ferry craft designed to ply between Tilbury and Gravesend; is dismayed at the attempt by the Crown Estate Commissioners to frustrate the use of this craft by claiming to exercise a feudal right of ferry and, without notice, commanding an immediate cessation of the 900 year old ferry service; calls upon the Crown Estate Commissioners to recognise that such precipitate action is an affront to the loyal people of Essex and Kent; is unreasonable and inconsistent with stark commercial considerations that must be applied to what is essentially a loss making public ferry service, and ignores their legal obligation as holders of the ferry rights to maintain the ferry service; and calls upon the Commissioners immediately to reconsider their attitude to this matter.

Sponsored by:
Andrew Mackinlay (Labour)