§ 6. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that it is proposed to close the Princes Pier, Greenock, which added to the closing of the Caird shipyard would aggravate unemployment and distress in Greenock; and whether he will consider, in collaboration with the President of the Board of Trade, measures to extend the said Princes Pier with a view to making it adequate as a landing stage for trans-Atlantic liners calling at Greenock?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am not aware of any proposal to close the Princes Pier, Greenock, although I understand that the Harbour Trust state that it will require reconstruction if it is to be kept in use. The question of financial assistance towards the cost of reconstructing the pier for its present purposes has been the subject of communication between the Harbour Trust and the Commissioner for the Special Areas, who is awaiting definite proposals from the Trust. Conversion of the pier into a landing stage for trans-Atlantic liners is, however, a wider question, which would fall to be considered primarily by the Harbour Trust.