HC Deb 22 July 1969 vol 787 cc1470-2
13. Mr. Gordon Campbell

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had, or proposes to have, with the steel industry on the present world trend towards larger ore-carriers requiring deep water and its likely effects upon the siting of future ore terminals and steel works.

Mr. Mason

The size of ore carriers and the need for deep water approaches are amongst the factors which the British Steel Corporation and the Government will continue to take into account in their studies on ore terminals.

Mr. Campbell

Will the Minister also bear in mind that the deepest water around the shores of Britain is in the Firth of Clyde and that if the present trend of building larger and larger ships continues, that fact will be of considerable help to the British steel industry?

Mr. Mason

Yes, Sir. The Metra-Weddell Report has drawn attention to the natural advantages of the Clyde and they will undoubtedly be borne in mind by the British Steel Corporation in the forthcoming study which it is to undertake in conjunction with the Clyde Port Authority.

Mr. Roy Hughes

In his consultations with the British Steel Corporation, will my right hon. Friend ensure that the proposed Uskmouth iron ore terminal in South Wales is kept under constant review and that the proposal is not put into cold storage? In the meanwhile, will he seek agreement with the British Transport Docks Board to modernise the existing iron-ore handling facilities at Newport Docks as a temporary measure?

Mr. Mason

I am obliged to my hon. Friend and all other hon. Members who have constituency interests for drawing these matters to my attention. I will convey what they have said to the B.S.C.

Sir J. Gilmour

What ports and estuaries, apart from the Clyde, are available to take the largest projected ore carriers without dredging?

Mr. Mason

Port Talbot will be able to take 100,000-tonners quite soon and eventually 150,000-tonners and Redcar is now being developed to take 100,000-tonners.

Mr. Heffer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that facilities on the Clyde will not help Summers Steel Works on Mersey? Is it not essential that there should be a berth on Mersey to cater for the needs of Summers Steel Works? Will my right hon. Friend have consultations with the steel industry in this connection?

Mr. Mason

As I hinted, hon. Members who have small ports who want them to be large ports adjacent to steel works would best serve their interests by writing to the B.S.C. instead of question- ing me at length on what is a Scottish demand for a major ore terminal.