HC Deb 12 July 1967 vol 750 cc792-4
32. Mr. Mapp

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the build-up of freightliner traffic since the introduction of open terminals.

Mr. John Morris

In February this year, about 1,300 freightliner containers were being carried each week. During the week preceding the recent rail strike, nearly 1,900 containers were carried.

Mr. Mapp

May I ask my right hon. Friend, through my hon. Friend, whether she is aware of the deep satisfaction on, I think, both sides of the House at this startling improvement? In her discussions with the Railways Board and the railway unions, will she point out the need for access to the terminal to be available over the maximum number of hours during the day, even up to 16 hours, because this is an area of great potential development in relation to terminals?

Mr. Morris

I thank my hon. Friend for his kind remarks. The hours issue is essentially a matter for management, but I know that the British Railways Board is making every endeavour to maximise the use of this very important means of carrying freight.

Mr. Peter Walker

As these terminals will benefit the more the faster containerisation takes place, will the Government reconsider their decision not to provide investment grants for containers used in internal depots?

Mr. Morris

Investment grants are not a matter for my right hon. Friend. If the hon. Gentleman puts the Question down to the appropriate Minister I am sure that he will get an answer.

36. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Minister of Transport if she will publish a list of the container berth schemes she has approved; what is their cost; and where they will be sited.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry, of Transport (Mr. Stephen Swingler)

My right hon. Friend has authorised the provision of permanent deep-sea container berths at Tilbury, Liverpool, Greenock, and Southampton al an average cost of £2½ million per berth. She has also authorised provision of temporary facilities by conversion at Liverpool at a cost of £1 million. Facilities at a number of ports used primarily for short-sea traffic have not required authorisation, but at Harwich they form part of an authorised project costing £2½ million overall.

Mr. Hughes

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he take into consideration the excellent potentialities which exist for this form of development at Newport Docks?

Mr. Swingler

Yes, Sir. This matter is being discussed at the moment between my Department and the Docks Board, where a £2½ million modernisation scheme is going on. It may turn out that a container berth will be provided there if the traffic justifies it.

37. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Minister of Transport what steps she is taking to increase productivity in the new freightliner terminals.

Mr. John Morris

Productivity in freightliner terminals is primarily a matter for the Railways Board, who are currently introducing new types of cranes and containers where these will increase efficiency.

Mr. Hughes

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, and while appreci- ating the need for increased productivity, may I ask whether he will ensure nevertheless that the future interests of the workpeople employed in these terminals are, by and large, his first consideration?

Mr. Morris

Certainly this is a very important consideration, and I am aware of my hon. Friend's interest in productivity. I was glad to see that he was present at the opening of the latest freightliner terminal at Cardiff the other day.