HC Deb 07 March 1956 vol 549 cc2105-6
49. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now say when he expects to receive the report of the committee inquiring into delays at the docks.

Mr. Watkinson

I understand that the Ports Efficiency Committee, which is inquiring into delays to road vehicles in docks, hopes to report next month.

Mr. Awbery

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an allegation was made in this House a fortnight ago that the delays in the docks were caused by the alleged restrictive practices of the dockers? Can he state the number of days lost through the restrictive practices of the employers in not providing empty wagons, not removing full wagons and not providing berths for ships?

Mr. Watkinson

I think that we had better wait for the report of this expert committee.

Mr. Callaghan

While we are waiting for the report, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has taken the advice which I gave him last time and notified shipowners that they will experience no delay at all in discharging their ships if they will go to the ports of Newport, Cardiff, Barry, Port Talbot or Swansea?

Mr. Watkinson

I very much welcomed the advice which the hon. Gentleman gave me. It was a very good bit of private enterprise.