§ 73. Captain Stricklandasked the Minister of Transport when he intends to lay before Parliament for approval, an Order under the Defence (General) Regulations enabling a port emergency committee, in order to relieve traffic congestion at the port, to remove imported goods landed there to any place the committee think reasonable and by any 392 means of transport they think fit; what is the composition of the committee which will be entrusted with these powers; and will these powers extend over all docks and harbours whether publicly owned or otherwise?
§ Captain WallaceI am advised that an Order of the nature described would not, under the Defence (General) Regulations, be laid before Parliament. Hitherto I have not found it necessary to make such an Order, which would only be made with reference to a particular port and for a limited time to meet a particular emergency. The powers would be exercisable by the appropriate port emergency committee, generally composed of representatives of the port authority, ship-owners, traders, labour and the various forms of transport serving the port. The powers would then be applicable to any dock or harbour within the committee's district.