HC Deb 07 April 1952 vol 498 cc2277-8
34. Mr. James Callaghan

asked the Minister of Transport if he will invite a member of the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive to serve as a member of the Ports Efficiency Committee.

Mr. Maclay

The British Transport Commission is represented on the Ports Efficiency Committee by Mr. Frank Pope, and this provides the necessary link between the Committee and the ports which come under the jurisdiction of the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive.

Mr. Callaghan

That is not an answer to the Question I asked. I asked the Minister why a member of the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive has not been appointed because that is the body charged by Parliament with the oversight of the ports of this country?

Mr. Maclay

The whole point is to get a proper link with the British Transport Commission and the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive, and Mr. Pope is eminently able to do that.

Mr. Mellish

Would it not be more satisfactory if we could get someone more suitable, particularly in view of the Minister's statement in an Adjournment debate recently that there are so many employers' restrictive practices, and that we cannot really hope that that Committee will report on those restrictive practices?

Mr. Maclay

As I said in that Adjournment debate the other night, I cannot accept the implication that the members of this Committee will not report fairly and equitably on that question.

Mr. Mellish

Will the Minister indicate to the House that he will make them issue and publish reports?

Mr. Maclay

I have already said that these reports will be published.

Mr. Callaghan

If the Minister does not accept the implications of my hon. Friend's question, surely, he must realise that there is considerable disquiet about the composition of this Committee? He did not reply to my hon. Friend in the Adjournment debate, when he asked for someone closely connected with the docks to be appointed. Does he not realise that he will vitiate the whole purpose of the Committee unless he strengthens its composition?

Mr. Maclay

I am not conscious of disquiet, except that expressed by the hon. Member for Bermondsey (Mr. Mellish). I understand that the Committee has been received extremely well.

Back to