§ 24. Captain FANSHAWEasked the Minister of Transport if the shipping companies have been consulted with regard to the commercial possibilities of a ship canal between the Forth and Clyde; and if they are in favour of the scheme or otherwise?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have no specific information on the points raised. It would, I think, be for the advocates of the canal, if they desire to learn the views of shipping companies or other parties, to take steps themselves to obtain such information as they require.
§ Mr. COUPERWhat were the names of the shipping companies referred to?
§ Colonel ASHLEYAs I did not ask them, I cannot tell my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to make some inquiry locally into this matter, in order to find out how much support there is for the project?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIt is a question, not so much of what support there is, but of whether the canal would pay, and whether the shipping would ever use it if it were built.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs not that a matter that could be gone into if there were a local inquiry by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo. So far as the information available goes—I am speaking from recollection—it would cost from £40,000,000 to £50,000,000, and, from all 1591 the information I have so far received, there would be no considerable volume of shipping using it if it were built.