§ 36 and 37. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) what proposals the British Transport Commission are submitting to him under their modernisation programme in order to improve trade at Cardiff Docks; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) what decisions have been taken by the British Transport Commission concerning capital development in Cardiff Docks during 1959–60; and what capital advances he has authorised for carrying them out.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe British Transport Commission has submitted no proposals to me for further capital development in Cardiff Docks. I understand that it has no plans for such development in mind at the present time.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Minister aware that that unhappy position is causing considerable concern amongst all business interests in the City of Cardiff? Surely it is the responsibility of the British Transport Commission to have some plan for the future of this great port. At present it is being allowed to decay, and that is a monstrous thing.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI understand that the British Transport Commission has plans for developments at the South Wales ports, which have been announced. All I am saying is that the Commission has brought no further proposal forward to me.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Woodburn.
§ Mr. ThomasOn a point of order—or, rather, two points of order. The first point of order arises from the fact that on these two important Questions you allowed me, Mr. Speaker to ask only one supplementary question. This is a matter of considerable importance for Cardiff. My second point of order is that I propose to give notice that I will raise this matter at the earliest possible moment.
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not know whether I need to answer the first point of order. The Minister said that he had received no proposals. The Question asked what proposals had bean made.