§ 15. Mr. Michael Heseltineasked the Minister of Transport what discussions he has had with organisations interested in developing a major port complex at Foulness; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe Port of London Authority consulted my right hon. Friend before taking part in a consortium that is carrying out a planning study, but he has had no other discussions. It is too soon to say what this study will produce.
§ Mr. HeseltineWould the hon. Gentleman not agree that the concept of developing Foulness as a transportation centre requires urgent consideration by the Government and that they should not be content to leave it like that? After such consideration, would the Minister agree to publish a Green Paper with the Government's views on this whole problem?
§ Mr. CarmichaelI will consult my right hon. Friend about the latter part of that question. As to whether there should be a big transportation study of this area for cargo handling, I can only say that this is what is being done. The Minister has given his approval to the P.L.A. to go ahead and take part in the consortium to study the feasibility of this concept. Only when formal proposals are put to the Government from such a study will he be able to decide whether to go further and investigate the problem even more deeply.