Government Cold Store, Cardiff (Hansard, 29 March 1956)

§ 21. Mr. Callaghan
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with the Government directors of the new cold store company before the decision was taken to put out of service nearly one half of the Government-owned cold store at Cardiff Docks.

§ Mr. Callaghan
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This Question was on the Order Book yesterday addressed to the Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Welsh Affairs, to ask him what discussions he had had with the Government directors, in his capacity as Minister for Welsh Affairs. This Question as it appears today is misrendered on the Order Paper. I do not wish to know, with respect to the Minister of Agriculture, what discussions he has had. Is he going to reply for the Home Secretary?

§ Mr. Speaker
I have frequently reminded the House that the transference of Questions is nothing to do with me.

§ Mr. Callaghan
This is more than the transference of a Question. This is a misrendering of a Question which has been transferred. If the Home Secretary does not wish to reply to the Question, although his Parliamentary Secretary has in the past intervened in this matter, surely when it is transferred it should be transferred in such a form as to ask the Minister of Agriculture to state what discussions the Home Secretary has had?

§ Mr. Speaker
If it is a misdirection of a Question, it is nothing to do with me.

§ Mr. J. Griffiths
Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Home Secretary was designated by the Government as Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Welsh Affairs. Therefore, a Question about Welsh affairs ought to be addressed to him as Minister for Welsh Affairs.

§ Mr. Speaker
That Question ought to be addressed to the Prime Minister and not to me. I am quite innocent of the whole transaction.

§ Mr. Callaghan
May I ask what remedy I have in this case?

§ Sir R. Boothby
None.

§ Mr. Callaghan
In that case, I hope the hon. Gentleman will join with me in getting one. If I am asked, as I was, to visit the Home Office to see the Under-Secretary of State to discuss this matter with him and with the Chief Docks Manager at Cardiff, and at a later stage I ask the Home Secretary what is happening, surely it is reasonable—and I ask for your protection, Mr. Speaker—that I should have an answer from the Home Department?

§ Mr. Speaker
I do not think the hon. Member needs my protection. It seems to me that he is making full use, if not too much use, of the opportunities available to him.

Mr. Amory
This is a matter of executive administration and is therefore my responsibility.
The answer to the Question is: None, Sir, but the arrangement to place the Government cold store at Cardiff as well as eight other Government cold stores in other parts of the country on partial care and maintenance was discussed with my officials and has my approval, as commercial space in the areas concerned is sufficient to meet current demands.

§ Mr. Callaghan
On the substantial point, does the Minister propose to take action in this case in which private cold store interests hold a majority of places on the board of directors and are closing down these cold stores in order that they may fill their own cold stores first?

Mr. Amory
As the hon. Gentleman knows, in 1940, I believe, a pledge was given by the Government that these cold stores would not be used after the war in competition with private enterprise where adequate facilities existed. From the information that I have, the available refrigerated space at Cardiff at present, including one half of this cold store, is unoccupied to the extent of about 60 per cent.

§ Mr. J. Griffiths
In view of the changed circumstances of trade in Cardiff, and the importance of this cold storage for the purpose of developing alternative trade, do the Government still find themselves bound by that pledge? If they do, has the right hon. Gentleman considered what should be done about the situation in Cardiff in this respect?

Mr. Amory
If there is any evidence whatever that the cold storage space available in Cardiff is inadequate or likely to be inadequate, then there is the other half of this cold store, at present on a care and maintenance basis, which can be turned back again for use at short notice.

§ Mr. Gower
In view of the overall difficulties of the south-west ports, including Cardiff, will my right hon. Friend consult his right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Welsh Affairs on the future use of facilities of this kind? Does he not recognise that there is a big problem particularly in the coal ports in Cardiff?

Mr. Amory
I will certainly consult my right hon. and gallant Friend. The fact remains that if there is the slightest evidence that the cold storage space available is inadequate for present or likely trade, action can be taken. The other half of the cold store can then be made available.

§ Mr. Callaghan
Without wishing to detain the House any longer, may I ask the Minister whether he really thinks it proper to adhere to a pledge of this sort which is so clearly in restraint of trade and competition, when we have this cold store put out of action because privately-owned cold stores have got a pledge that they should be filled first? Does he not think that he should revise that pledge and ask the privately-owned interests if they will agree to fair competition?

Mr. Amory
There still remains the fact that to the best of my knowledge there is adequate cold storage space available in Cardiff.