§ 33. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that German coastal shipping is avoiding the use of British ports because of heavy charges and of the long time taken in turn round; and if he will take further steps to remove this disability to our trade.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am not aware of any such development. As regards the second part of the question, the Ports Efficiency Committee is charged with the duty of investigating all aspects of port operation in the United Kingdom.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill my right hon. Friend try to make the country realise that unless there is a quicker turn round at the docks, unless dock charges are lowered, unless we all work a bit harder and the vicious spiral caused by the continued demand for increased wages is stopped, we shall be faced with starvation?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think that most of those considerations are fully borne in mind. Nearly all of them are now operating, including better weather conditions which also help.