HC Deb 24 February 1970 vol 796 c974
24. Mr. Goodhew

asked the Minister of Transport how many letters he has received supporting his plan to nationalise the ports; and from whom these letters have been received.

Mr. Mulley

I have received only 21 letters expressing a general view on the Government's port reorganisation proposals and those in support came from the Scottish Trades Union Congress, No. 6 Region of the Transport and General Worker's Union, and four private persons.

Mr. Goodhew

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House why he thinks it necessary to spend £76 million of the taxpayers' money when there is so little support in the country for what he is doing?

Mr. Mulley

I do not think that a casual amount of correspondence is the best way of assessing public support. My experience is that one gets many more people writing when they are against things than when they are in support of them. So, the score being 15 to 6, I do not think it very significant in this context. What pleases me more is the vote of this House.