HC Deb 12 July 1967 vol 750 cc802-4
34. Mr. Rees-Davies

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give details of guidance or instructions she has given to British Railways limiting their freedom to negotiate an agreement with Hover Lloyd Limited regarding their user of Pegwell Bay as a cross channel hovercraft terminal; and if she will make a Statement of policy as regards agreements between private industry and nationalised undertakings in relation to hovercraft.

Mrs. Castle

I gave no guidance or instructions to the British Railways Board about their negotiations with Hover Lloyd. Agreements between private industry and the Board about hovercraft operations would be for the Board's own decision, unless they involved shareholdings.

Mr. Rees-Davies

Then will the right hon. Lady be able to give an assurance that there is complete freedom for British Rail hovercraft, and also that if it thinks it right to enter into some form of consortium it will not be the subject of any limitation by her?

Mrs. Castle

I can certainly give that assurance. This is a discussion, as the hon. Member knows, about a location rather than any arrangement between operators.

Mr. Gresham-Cooke

If the right hon. Lady has to give guidance in future, will she bear in mind that there is a strong school of thought that believes that large hovercraft will not be safely manœuvreable in and out of harbours like Dover and that it might be safer and better for them to operate out of Pegwell Bay?

Mrs. Castle

This arises on the next Question.

35. Mr. Rees-Davies

asked the Minister of Transport what representations and what evidence will be given by her at the resumed inquiry into the grant of planning permission for Pegwell Bay regarding the safe operation of hovercraft, passenger traffic and the transport consideration both at Dover and at Pegwell, bearing in mind the important transport aspects of this inquiry.

Mrs. Castle

Responsibility for the safe operation of hovercraft and for seaborne passenger traffic generally rests with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. I cannot at this stage anticipate what further consideration may be given to transport links at the resumed inquiry.

Mr. Rees-Davies

Does the right hon. Lady recognise—I am sure she does—that one of the difficulties about these planning matters within the Ministry of Housing and Local Government is that she has a very real interest in the purely transport aspects? If her Department is not able to make known its representations, those engaged in the inquiry will feel that there may be something behind their back. Can she give an assurance that she will ensure that any representations affecting traffic considerations are fully known at the resumed inquiry?

Mrs. Castle

All the road-rail aspects were fully considered at the first inquiry, and the county council gave evidence on the effects on local transport and the rest. I am still considering whether it will be necessary to supplement this at the second inquiry.