§ 34. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the Transport Tribunal's announcement on 6th April, 1951, that the Charges Scheme would not be available before 1954, he proposes to take any steps in the meantime to alleviate the burden of high transport costs in remote areas, particularly in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, by means of subsidy.
§ Mr. BarnesNo, Sir. Such a subsidy, which would be primarily for the benefit of trade and industry in Scotland, would not be a matter for me.
§ Lord Malcolm Douglas-HamiltonDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that at present there is no prospect of alleviation of transport costs in the remote areas until 1954, whereas at the same time there is no guarantee that costs may not be putting a greater proportionate burden on these areas?
§ Mr. BarnesWhether that may be so or not, there still remains the question of a special subsidy for roads in any special part of the country and that is not within my determination.
§ Mr. Hector HughesHas my right hon. Friend received from the fish merchants and curers of Aberdeen a memorandum on the subject of high freight charges and late deliveries of fish at Billingsgate? If he has received that memorandum will he consider it?
§ Mr. BarnesI am sure my hon. Friend is aware that if there is any question of a special rate for fish it does not fall to my Department to determine it.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftWhat is the Minister proposing to do? Is he going to wait until 1954, while periodic flat-rate increases are made which are a particularly crippling burden to these areas, or has he any suggestions at all to make?
§ Mr. BarnesI certainly do not find any assistance from the interjections of the hon. Member.