HC Deb 08 May 1968 vol 764 cc403-5
21. Mr. Eadie

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the effect of the contraction of the coal industry upon the ports in Scotland.

Mr. Swingler

None, Sir. This is, in the first place, a matter for the port authorities concerned, who are in touch with the National Coal Board about future coal shipments.

Mr. Eadie

Would my hon. Friend not agree that there is a strong feeling that the contractions of the mining industry cannot be considered in isolation, that this augurs badly for other industries and that investigations should be made?

Mr. Swingler

My right hon. Friend and the Government have shown that they agree that the matter cannot be taken in isolation, but I am advised that, in 1967, coal amounted to only about 8 per cent. of total port traffic in Scotland and that the total level of port traffic there was maintained, but this is a matter over which, no doubt, the port authorities are keeping a careful watch.

Sir G. Nabarro

But would not the hon. Gentleman apply himself to advising the Minister of Power to use Scottish coal, transported by Scottish rail, to the new Alcan smelter at Invergordon, thereby using Scottish resources and preventing the electoral debâcle of yesterday in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Paisley?

Mr. Swingler

As usual, the hon. Gentleman has introduced a number of extraneous matters. We will, nevertheless go into them but they are, of course, the responsibility first of the port authorities.

22. Mr. Eadie

asked the Minister of Transport what losses in revenue are anticipated by the railway industry as a result of contraction of the mining industry.

Mr. Carmichael

The effect on net revenue will depend on the pattern of the contraction, and the way in which the Board adapts to it.

Mr. Eadie

Is my hon. Friend aware that there was no electoral débâcle in my constituency yesterday? Does he not agree, to return to my Question, that the figures illustrate the financial problems for the railways of loss of revenue? Would he not agree that this would make it much more difficult for the railways to become more viable?

Mr. Carmichael

Of course the loss of a very big revenue such as coal has an effect on the railways, but there is close liaison between the railways, the National Coal Board and the Central Electricity Generating Board to make the best and most economic use of the railways, such as "merry-go-round" trains, to try to keep the net loss of revenue as low as possible.

Mr. Mapp

Will my hon. Friend, along with the railways and coal industry, face the main problem, which is, in the modern sense, to containerise coal traffic and get rid of the difficulty of loading and unloading? There is a problem in containerising bulk coal, but could this not be looked at carefully?

Mr. Carmichael

As I said, "merry-go-round" trains have been a big step forward and the real investment of the railways in new types of loading and unloading coal has been very high. The C.E.G.B., the railways and the Coal Board are aware of the necessity to keep up to date in these matters.