David Cameron was in Wirral today to support a campaign aimed at preventing a "financial crisis" at UK ports.

The Conservative Party chief arrived this morning at Birkenhead Docks for a meeting with business leaders concerned that a Government move to backdate rates demands has left hundreds of port-based businesses facing insolvency.

Some local businesses have already receieved backdated bills for several millions of pounds.

The demands are said to threaten 70 firms in Merseyside with bankruptcy, which would cost up to 3,000 jobs.

But while here he was also quizzed about the ongoing controversy surrounding Wirral's libraries, 11 of which still face possible closure under the borough's strategic asset review.

A local inquiry into the library closures, ordered by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham after he stepped in at the last minute, began this week.

Mr Cameron told the Globe: "Here, libraries are a really important issue and rightly so. They are a really important resource that people want.

"We should be encouraging young people and older people in to use all the facilities that libraries have to offer - books and DVDs and interactive services and everything else."

He was also asked about the use of the controversial RIPA 'snooping' laws that see councils using anti-terror legislation to prosecute people for crimes like anti-social behaviour or fly-tipping.

"British people are fair minded," said Mr Cameron. "Of course they want to support the police by giving them the tools to do their jobs to the very best of their abilities.

"But what they don't want is for the same tools to be used against them by the council for putting something accidentally in the wrong bin."

Leah Fraser, prospective Conservative MP for Wallasey and Moreton, said: "David Cameron has again highlighted how councils, such as Wirral, are being too secretive with the information they are collecting under the ‘RIPA’ powers.

"Wirral Council used the Act 45 times last year yet nobody, it seems, is allowed to know why.

"Have there been 45 suspected terrorists in the borough or is the council abusing its authority?”

Esther McVey, prospective parliamentary candidate for Wirral West, added: "It is important to see David Cameron in Wirral today listening to the concerns of the Port Operators of Merseyside.

"Six thousand people in Merseyside rely on the shipping industry for employment and David's campaign for a fair deal for the industry can only help strengthen these jobs."