§ Q4. Mr. Douglasasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Scottish Office, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of the Environment with regard to assessing the potentialities of deep-water port facilities for bulk cargoes in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. But it is for port authorities to initiate proposals for development.
§ Mr. DouglasWill not the Prime Minister concede that, if there were any question of activity at Foulness going beyond an airport and including industrial development and port facilities, it would be valuable to have a report, and for it to be debated in the House? Secondly, can the Prime Minister confirm the impression given in the House yesterday by his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that we are likely to have an ore terminal at Hunterston associated with appropriate industrial development?
§ The Prime MinisterIf there were to be proposals of this kind for Foulness as an extension of the development of an airport, obviously they would have to have planning permission. In certain circumstances, if they were to be alongside a third London airport, they would have to have the authority of the Department as well as a general decision on policy.
As for the statement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland about Hunterston, he had to make a very difficult decision on both amenity 573 and industrial grounds about the oil refinery. It was the same decision as that made by his predecessor and, although it is a controversial matter, it has very wide support. My right hon. Friend went on to emphasise, on the other hand, that it was, as many of us who have been there know, an admirably suitable place for a deep-water port which could if required be used for heavy iron ore carriers or the development of steel.
§ Mr. OnslowReverting to Foulness, will my right hon. Friend confirm that there is no obvious compatibility between an airport and a seaport, anyway? Will he say from personal experience that any steps having the effect of attracting more traffic through the Channel would meet with very strong objections?
§ The Prime MinisterObviously the question of Channel traffic would have to be taken into account. My hon. Friend says that there is no necessary compatibility. On the other hand, many people would hold that an airport and a seaport in the area are not incompatible and that this is a major consideration which would have to be gone into most carefully.
§ Mr. LawsonWithout referring to Foulness, does not the Prime Minister agree that it would be a great pity if this unique facility on the Clyde for taking ships of up to one million tons, if ever they came on the sea, in deep, sheltered water were left entirely to the Clyde authorities? In the interests of the nation, is not it a Government responsibility to see that the development takes place?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the development is required, obviously it will have to be referred to the Government. The method of its development, if it is required, is a matter which can then be discussed.
§ Mr. RossIs the Prime Minister aware that the decision taken by the Secretary of State the other day, albeit a difficult one, was not related to the decision taken by the previous Administration on the Murco proposal? Is he further aware that there is a growing feeling in Scotland that the unique qualities of Hunterston are not being fully regarded by the Government? Indeed, for my own part, I fail to see what support the 574 Secretary of State had in his decision yesterday. There is growing feeling that he is not getting the support in the Cabinet that he should get in order to ensure the exploitation of what he has declared to be the unique qualities of Hunterston.
§ The Prime MinisterThere is a full appreciation of the unique opportunities offered at Hunterston. That will not prevent it from being a controversial decision if a decision has to be taken whether there is to be an iron ore port or any steel development there. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State certainly brought it home to his colleagues and to me personally by arranging for me to fly over the area to see it at close quarters.
§ Mr. William HamiltonDive in.
§ Mr. Ronald King MurrayDoes not the Prime Minister accept that the Government should take the initiative in promoting the concept of Oceanspan, especially in view of the increasing number of accidents in the over-crowded English Channel?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is another aspect of the matter. The Hunterston proposals are concerned with a deep-water port, mainly for iron ore, though it could be used for other purposes. They are connected with the future plans for steel development in the country.