Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if will he remove the licence of P&O to operate its routes in and out of the UK.

The Secretary of State instructed that a total examination be carried out of any contracts in place with P&O Ferries and DP World across Government. Before any action is taken, we need to have a clear understanding of exactly what has happened which is what we are doing right now.

We are therefore reviewing such contracts as a matter of urgency, and where possible, we are looking to use other providers in the market.

We are also considering further steps we might take to remove P&O Ferries’ influence within British maritime, including positions on key advisory groups.