The BPA’s Scottish Ports Committee hosted the first ever Parliamentary Ports Reception for MSPs at Holyrood on 24 November 2009.
The Reception was an opportunity for MSPs and the Scottish Government to meet with representatives of the Scottish ports industry and discuss a number topical issues such as the Scottish Marine Bill.
The event was hosted by Liam McArthur, MSP and the chief guest was Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism. Representatives at the reception were drawn from the Scottish Government, the Crown Estate, Marine Scotland and is the first gathering of its type in Scotland for many years.
Speaking at the reception, Nigel Mills, the Committee’s Chairman said: “The sheer size and importance of the ports industry means that we have to get policy right. We enjoy an excellent dialogue with the Scottish Government. Looking to the future, we aim to ensure that we have a good mutual understanding of future capacity needs, that we can identify where investment is needed in the transport network and that we have an efficient planning and consents system. The new Marine Bill is also a big issue for us and will set the pattern for coastal management for many years to come.”