§ 28. Mr. Callaghanasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what will be the estimated loss of trade to the Port of Cardiff caused by putting part of the cold store at Cardiff Docks out of service.
§ 30. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the anxiety caused in Cardiff by the announcement that 50 per cent. of the Cardiff cold store is to be placed on a care-and-maintenance basis; and whether, in view of the efforts now being made to obtain for Cardiff a greater share of the meat trade with New Zealand and Australia, he will take steps to retain this cold store in full operation.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am advised that as half of the refrigerated space will remain in operation, and the other half can be brought back into refrigeration at a few days' notice, the change should have no significant effect on the import trade of Cardiff.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs the Minister aware that nobody locally holds that view, and that, in addition to this Governmental decision, a further blow is to fall on Cardiff by the cutting out of coal exports, which will also be a Governmental decision? Do the Government intend this port to be strangled, and, if not, what help or advice has the right hon. Gentleman to offer the port, which is struggling hard to improve its trade?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe only advice which I can give on this matter is that if Cardiff can get more refrigerated ships the store can be brought back into service almost at once.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that now that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power 2132 has wiped off Cardiff as a coal exporting centre this decision is a confession of defeat about food imports into the city? Does he not think that he and the Government have some responsibility for the welfare of the city, and for helping with its trade?
§ Mr. WatkinsonOne of the difficulties is that of the last cargo of refrigerated meat which came into the port the vast majority of it then went by rail to London.