Colonel CHAPMANasked the Minister of Transport whether he is at present in a position to exercise the power conferred on him by Section 17 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, to make advances, with the approval of the Treasury, to a local authority in aid of the construction, improvement, or maintenance of harbours, docks or piers; whether any advances under the powers of this Section have been made to local authorities within the past six years; and, if so, what local authorities and the amount in each case, and whether by way of grant or loan?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAParliament has placed no funds at my disposal from which advances can be made for the purposes mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the third part does not therefore arise.