MINISTERS have insisted they will consider the effect on Southampton when deciding Liverpool’s bid to expand its cruise ship operation.

The Merseyside city has recently asked for permission to become a “turnaround” cruise port and muscle in on Southampton’s lucrative industry.

The move is controversial because Liverpool received more than £17 million of public cash towards its port, whereas Southampton’s is privatelyfunded.

Shipping Minister Mike Penning insisted the need for a level playing field would be weighed up against the regeneration benefits to Liverpool.

He said: “I am considering this request by Liverpool City Council based on balancing the interests of potential economic regeneration and those of fair competition in the market for cruise calls.”

In a written answer to a question from Labour MP Chi Onwurah, he pointed out that the controversial decision to award millions of pounds of government and EU funding to Liverpool had been taken under the previous government.

The vital clause banning the use of the port for turnaround cruises was agreed as a result of a request from the Department for Transport, he added.