HC Deb 19 June 1968 vol 766 cc1086-7
23. Mr. Alasdair Mackenzie

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to British Railways to provide improved facilities for the transport of shellfish from West Scotland to the South of England and the Continent.

Mr. Carmichael

No, Sir. It would be quite wrong for my right hon. Friend to give a general direction to the Railways Board on a detailed matter of commercial management like this.

Mr. Mackenzie

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a keen demand on the Continent for winkles particularly? Is he further aware that Highland transport charges are preventing the rapid expansion of the market? Will he look at this again to see if he can do something to help?

Mr. Carmichael

I am aware of the market for winkles on the Continent and of its great importance to the hon. Gentleman's constituency. But neither the Railways Board nor the Ministry of Agriculture has had any complaint for a long time about any difficulties arising from transport charges for these commodities and it would appear that the charges suit most of the producers in the area of the hon. Gentleman's constituency.