Question reference: S5W-31831
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 15 September 2020
-
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 September 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has the power to disband the Nith Navigation Commission.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not have the power to disband the Nith Navigation Commission.
Scottish Ministers may make Harbour Closure Orders to remove statutory powers from a harbour authority, but it is up to the authority to initiate the process while following appropriate legal advice.
Ports are deemed to be independent commercial entities. Therefore, it is not possible for the Scottish Government to dictate business decisions made by a harbour authority on how its port is run or on how to best utilise its resources.