§ 9. Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Minister of Transport by what date the study done by Martech Consultants Limited in 1964 on traffic flows for all Great Britain's ports will cease to be relevant to the planning of those ports.
§ Mr. SwinglerThis study was completed in March, 1966. Its analysis of traffic flows in 1964 will continue to be relevant until superseded by later studies.
§ Mr. CookeWhen the later studies take place, will the Minister reconsider the Portbury scheme, because this lot of studies has been used to kill the Portbury scheme at the present time?
§ Mr. SwinglerThese studies are continuing all the time. The National Ports Council and its staff have the job of analysing statistical data made available by any of the port authorities or their consultants. Therefore, it will be a continuing work to establish a national survey.
§ Mr. EllisWill my hon. Friend confirm that any evidence about the Portbury scheme will be considered, that any decision will be taken in the light of that, and that a decision in favour of Portbury will not be ruled out until all the available evidence has been studied?
§ Mr. SwinglerIn the White Paper, we say that the case for a third major liner terminal at Portbury or anywhere else has not yet been made out. We are always prepared to consider further evidence.