HC Deb 18 February 1930 vol 235 cc1145-7
39. Major COLVILLE

asked he Lord Privy Seal if he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Chamber of Shipping in regard to the improvement of ports and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in order to further such schemes as unemployment relief works?

40 and 41. Major Sir HERBERT CAYZER

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) for which ports schemes have been approved for unemployment assistance grants for the improvement of ports and port facilities and equipment; which ports have received a grant in respect of such schemes; and the amount granted to each port; and

(2) if he has received a copy of the resolution adopted at a meeting of the Shipowners' Parliamentary Committee on 30th January, 1930, regretting the slow progress which is being made towards the utilisation of unemployment assistance grants in approved schemes for the improvement of ports and port facilities and equipment; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

43. Mr. HANNON

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received the resolution adopted by the council of the Chamber of Shipping and Shipowners' Parliamentary Committee on 30th January last, conveying to his Majesty's Government the urgency for the inauguration of schemes of improvement of ports and for the provision of additional port facilities and equipment; and what action he proposes to take in response to this appeal?

74. Mr. GRAHAM WHITE

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of schemes which have been submitted in connection with unemployment grants by the port authorities of the United Kingdom; and if he is satisfied that the schemes so far submitted represent the maximum which can be undertaken in the national interest?

78. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether in connection with his plans for increasing employment, he can state what amount of expenditure has been sanctioned in connection with schemes for improving facilities at British ports; at what ports are the increased facilities to be provided; and to what amounts in each case?

Mr. THOMAS

I have received a copy of the resolution adopted by the Shipowners' Parliamentary Committee in regard to the improvement of ports and ports' facilities. Up to the present 38 schemes have been submitted on behalf of 24 ports for assistance under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act. Twenty-one of these schemes have been approved, and the remainder are now being examined. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the schemes already approved. The schemes submitted to date do not cover all the recommendations of the Shipowners' Parliamentary Committee, and I hope such of the dock authorities concerned as have not yet considered the recommendations affecting their ports will take steps to do so as quickly as possible.

Mr. HANNON

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a gentle reminder to those people, who are a little slow in helping him out of his difficulty of solving the unemployment problem, to accelerate schemes?

Mr. THOMAS

No, there is no complaint. I can understand that, as Birmingham is not a port, the hon. Gentleman would not understand, but dock authorities will tell him, as they have told me, that there is no delay. The delay rather is on the side of the authorities in making application.

Mr. HANNON

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that Birmingham keeps five or six ports in this country going?

Major COLVILLE

Have improved terms been offered since the right hon. Gentleman's last statement?

Mr. THOMAS

No, and I want to make it perfectly clear that harm is being done by assuming that the Government are likely to change their terms. I have announced definitely that the terms are final, and that should be understood by all.

Sir FREDERICK THOMSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman, not consider making some use of Part II of his own Development Act, which provides for grants being made to statutory bodies like harbour and dock authorities?

Mr. THOMAS

When I tell the hon. Gentleman that the schemes already sanctioned

Name of Port. Approved Scheme. Estimated Cost of Approved Scheme.
£
Lower Avon … … Improvement of Lower Avon 14,000
Birkenhead … … Provision of 2 Ferry boats 85,000
Bristol … … Royal Edward Dock—Roads 6,000
Avonmouth Dock—levelling land 18,000
Severn Embankment—Royal Edward Dock—levelling land. 1,200
Cullen … … Removal of sand for Harbour 700
Dundee … … Construction of new Wharf 235,088
Leith … … Provision of Railways, hydraulic power, sheds, etc. 111,500*
Liverpool … … Construction of 5 Bridges 302,400
Construction of Walls and Dock Extension 987,332
Modernisation of Docks 985,128
Milford … … Provision of coaling facilities, etc 15,000
Pembroke … … Pontoon Bridge—Neyland landing stage 15,000
Peterhead … … Road widening of jetty 391
Shereham … … Construction of new lock 97,000*
Tees … … Reclamation of Foreshore 300,856
Tyne … … Ferry Boat 28,350
Filling in of open space at Docks 20,735
Construction of Crane 16,000
Wear … … Construction of Dredger 10,500
Wick … … Resurfacing of Roads 3,412
*Nature and/or amount of grant under consideration.