§ 64. Mr. HARRISasked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has any report as to the use of the River Thames, within the Metropolitan area, for transport purposes, or any statistics showing the number of barges and steamers carrying goods regularly using the river in the tidal area; if not, whether he will have an inquiry made as to how far it is used; and whether by improved organisation more use could he made of the river?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONI have brought the hon. Member's question to the notice of the Port of London Authority, who informed me that the number of sea-going ships which used the tidal portion of the River Thames during the year 1928 was 55,694, with a total net registered tonnage of 55,423,681. In addition there are 9,363 barges registered by the Port Authority. The Authority estimate that in the course of a year about 2,000 tugs, launches, barges and other small craft, exclusive of rowing boats, navigate the river above London Bridge.
Mr. PALMERWould the present traffic on the Thames preclude the extension of traffic to passenger boats going up and down the river?
§ Mr. MORRISONI have not noticed that the Thames is so congested that it could not stand any passenger boats.