HC Deb 07 June 1967 vol 747 cc1062-3
20. Mr. Webster

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make a statement on the resignation of Lord Rochdale as Chairman of the National Ports Council.

Mrs. Castle

As announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 19th April, Lord Rochdale is to be the Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry into Shipping. In the circumstances, Lord Rochdale and I agreed that he should be released from his duties as Chairman of the National Ports Council on the expiry of his present term of office on 14th June.

I am sure that the House would wish to join me in paying a warm tribute to the outstanding services of Lord Rochdale to the ports industry.—[Vol. 745, c. 98.]

Mr. Webster

I join with the right hon. Lady's tribute to Lord Rochdale and point out that this is not the first time that an independent chairman of an advisory body has been removed by the Minister. Is she not aware that this happens immediately before a transport Bill which is to nationalise all the docks simply for doctrinaire purposes and is something that we shall contest very strongly?

Mrs. Castle

It is not a question of Lord Rochdale having been removed. He was invited to take on this other major inquiry and he himself agreed that he could not do both jobs. He and I agreed that he should conduct the inquiry into the shipping industry. I took this view because Lord Rochdale's inquiry into the ports was so very valuable. I hope that what he did in relation to the ports for the Ministry of Transport he can do in relation to the shipping industry for the Board of Trade.

Mr. Alan Lee Williams

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the dock workers have accepted the policy of decasualisation and a new wages scheme as a step towards more public ownership in the docks, and that it would be disastrous to go back on the Government's pledge to nationalise the docks?

Mrs. Castle

There is no intention of going back on our proposals for the transfer in due course of the docks to public ownership.

42. Mr. Webster

asked the Minister of Transport what restrictions are placed on the National Ports Council in scrutinising and criticising Government proposals.

Mrs. Castle

None. Sir.

Mr. Webster

Is this Council then to be just a rubber stamp? Is it not deplorable that at a time when the whole industry is to be nationalised the new chairman should be the chairman of an already nationalised industry?

Mrs. Castle

This is just another of those snide innuendoes which we get from hon. Members opposite. The National Ports Council will continue to be entirely free, as it always has been. The new Chairman of the Council, Sir Arthur Kirby, was appointed to his original job as Chairman of the British Transport Docks Board by none other than the right hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples).

Mr. McNamara

Does not my right hon. Friend agree with me that the new chairman has a most distinguished record in docks administration and that the appointment as such is to be welcomed?

Mrs. Castle

Yes. The British Transport Docks Board has been one of the most successful of our nationalised industries. It pays its own way without Exchequer subsidy.

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