Dr Ladyman also endorsed the work of Mersey Maritime, the private sector led organisation which represents the interest of the maritime industry on Merseyside, saying that the Government and the [European] Commission ‘recognise the lead that Mersey Maritime has taken in promoting that vision’, and adding that ‘anything Mersey Maritime can do to continue to contribute to the successful growth of the maritime sector will certainly have my full support.’

The debate was presented by local MP Louise Ellman, a strong supporter of the region’s maritime sector, in a move to highlight the significance of Merseyside’s maritime sector as one of national strategic importance. Its aim was to secure the support of Ministers in several key areas of development:

* The national importance of the Port of Liverpool to the UK as a gateway to international trade;

* The proposal by Peel Ports, owners of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, for the construction at Seaforth of a new container berth capable of handling ‘post panamax’ size vessels;

* Liverpool’s new £16 million cruise facility and the benefits that will bring; and

* The Ports Growth Strategy: A 20 year vision for the river including the development of a ‘SuperPort’ on Merseyside that will seek to harness the combined the freight handling capability of the Port of Liverpool, the Manchester Ship Canal and Liverpool John Lennon Airport as well as the massive freight community that exists within the region and the North West.