HC Deb 16 June 1965 vol 714 cc428-30
3. Mr. Robert Cooke

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received the report of the National Ports Council on the Portbury Dock proposals; and what is his policy on the future progress of this scheme.

47. Mr. Palmer

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a statement on the proposals of the Port of Bristol Authority for the construction of a new dock at Portbury.

Mr. Tom Fraser

I have now received the report of the National Ports Council on this very important scheme. I am considering it with the care it deserves and will announce my decision as soon as I can.

Mr. Cooke

This decision has long been and is eagerly awaited in the City of Bristol. Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication how long it will take him to consider the matter?

Mr. Fraser

I cannot say how long it will take me. The duties I have under Section 9 of the Harbours Act require me to consider major port investment schemes within the context of port investment throughout the country as a whole. I have a lot of people with whom I will have to have consultations, including those who use the ports, shippers and shipping companies, and those who consign their merchandise through the ports as well. So I have a lot of people to consult before I can make up my mind. I will not unduly delay my decision, but I cannot promise a very quick one.

Mr. Palmer

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that all sections of opinion in Bristol, and not simply the Conservative Party, are very anxious to get a decision on this matter? While taking in lo account the extra time my right hon. Friend will require, will he really do his best to reach a decision very soon?

Mr. Fraser

Yes, I will, but it is a big scheme; it is a £27 million scheme; and it cannot be ready, in any case, for five years at the very earliest. It is important that I should consider the scheme carefully before making a decision.

Mr. Powell

What is the relationship of this Report which the Minister has received with the interim proposals of the National Ports Council which he was due to receive and have those reached him?

Mr. Fraser

I am not so sure about the relationship between this and the interim Report of the National Ports Council. I should like to think about this, and perhaps get in touch with the right hon. Gentleman. The National Ports Council has now reported to me on this, as I say, and I shall have to consider this Report within the context of its interim proposals for the ports of the country as a whole. None the less, it has been able to come to certain views about Portbury which it indicated to me.

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