§ 18. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport what authorisation he has given for new capital constructions in ports and harbours in order to speed up the discharge of ships' cargoes.
§ Mr. MarplesIn general my authority is not required for programmes of capital works except in ports for which the British Transport Commission are responsible. The approved investment programmes of the Commission included expenditure at ports of £5 million in 1961, £9 million in 1960, £6 million in 1959 and £5.6 million in 1958.
§ Mr. RankinI fully recognise the good work which the Ministry is doing in regard to docks. Does he realise that there are many docks where modernisation is quite inadequate, with the result that the turn-round of shipping is slowed down, with an addition to costs? The size of these docks is preventing the building of larger ships to deal with larger cargoes. Can he not use his influence as Minister to encourage the local authorities concerned to engage in a new programme of bringing docks up to date to meet modern requirements?
§ Mr. MarplesCapital construction in ports is generally undertaken by virtue of powers granted by Parliament in private legislation. Most docks, such as those under the control of the Mersey Dock and Harbour Board and the Port of London Authority, are self-contained units and do not have to apply to me for capital expenditure.