HC Deb 08 March 1967 vol 742 cc1493-4
36. Mr. Robert Cooke

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make an official visit to the Portbury site and acquaint herself with its possibilities.

The Minister of Transport (Mrs. Barbara Castle)

We are well aware of the possibilities of this site, and I am always willing to consider any invitation to visit the Port of Bristol and discuss its development plans.

Mr. Cooke

Would the right hon. Lady bear in mind that there is no substitute for personal experience? There are many eminent people in Bristol who are just waiting to let her have it. Will she respond to the invitation when she gets it?

Mrs. Castle

As I have already said, I will certainly give consideration to any invitation that I receive, but I have not yet received one. As the hon. Gentleman knows, my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary visited the site on 8th December.

Mr. Dean

Does the right hon. Lady realise that there is mounting anger in the Bristol area because she is saying "Yes" to port development schemes in many parts of the country, and she persists in saying "No" to Bristol. despite the views of the National Ports Council?

Mrs. Castle

It is not true to say that I have persisted in saying "No". When we announced our decision on the very large Portbury Scheme, and the reasons for that decision, we suggested to the Port of Bristol Authority that it might consider putting up alternative proposals to us. I know that it has been studying these proposals, but as yet none has been put to me.

Mr. Wilkins

Would my right hon. Friend also bear in mind that the advantage of a visit to this site would be that she would be taken up in a helicopter and she would have the opportunity of viewing what is being considered under the Severnside Survey, in other words, the probable development of this vast area and its population?

Mrs. Castle

My hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary had the pleasure of a helicopter tour. I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman is so anxious to have my personal attendance, but I would point out that the assessment of the possibilities of a site for dock purposes is a highly technical matter. We are all aware of the possibilities in a general way, but its assessment for dock development must be done by experts.

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