HC Deb 19 February 1968 vol 759 cc31-2
70. Mr. Ellis

asked the Minister of Labour if he has received proposals on a welfare amenity scheme for the port of Bristol as required by the Docks and Harbours Act, 1966; and if he will give details of the scheme.

Mr. Fernyhough

The draft proposals have had to be amended because of changes in the concentration of work at Bristol City and Avonmouth Docks. However, substantial progress has already been made in advance of formal approval and the final scheme is expected to be submitted soon.

Mr. Ellis

Will my hon. Friend make these proposals fully available to the Transport and General Workers' Union, because we have reason to believe that the first part of the scheme has been launched and the facilities provided in the proposals that he will have placed in front of him are not as comprehensive as they were? Is he aware that some of us who were concerned with the Docks and Harbours Act thought that its great object was to provide decent facilities for the first time and are anxious to see it implemented in the proper way?

Mr. Fernyhough

I think that my hon. Friend can take it for granted that those provisions will be put into operation in an appropriate way. The proposed scheme envisages considerable new construction and much is already completed. An early start can be expected of work which has been planned.