§ 45. Mr. Simon Mahonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ascertain from the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board the date when the new Seaforth Container Berth will be in operation; and what assessment he has made of its effect on employment in Merseyside.
§ Mr. PeytonI understand that the meat berth in the Seaforth Dock is due to come into operation on 6th December; the first four container berths by next Spring; the grain terminal by July: 1344 a further container berth and a packaged timber berth by the end of 1972.
§ Mr. MahonI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. I am sure that he hopes, with me, that it will bring more employment and prosperity to Merseyside. Is it not remarkable that a £45 million project should bring no major jobs into the port? The port labour register has dropped from 20,000 to 10,000 jobs, and there are 51,000 people unemployed on Merseyside. Does not this show the need for more initiative from the Government in bringing employment to Merseyside?
§ Mr. PeytonI think the hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Seaforth Dock, which represents the future of Liverpool as a port, is in replacement of existing inadequate facilities and not in addition to them.
§ Mr. DellDoes the right hon. Gentleman receive regular confidential reports of the progress of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company?
§ Mr. PeytonI receive fairly regular information.
§ Mr. CrawshawIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole complex of this berth is dependent upon one lock, and if that lock became immobilised either through accident or sabotage the whole complex would be put out of operation? Has he taken this point into consideration, and will he consider having another lock added to the complex?
§ Mr. PeytonThe cost of another lock, as the hon. Gentleman will be aware, would be fairly formidable and would add to the costs of the port. If this principle were to be generally applied to all enclosed docks, it would put a fairly heavy handicap on them.