§ 2.35 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, having in mind the proposal to build a dam across the upper reaches of Milford Haven for the purposes of water storage, they will take advantage of this unique opportunity of effecting a great improvement in communications by constructing a main road along the dam; and whether they will ensure that the dam is sited at the lowest possible point of the estuary which is consistent with economy, having regard to the great saving in time and in transport costs which would thus be effected.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)My Lords, no firm decision to build a dam has yet been taken by the water undertakers concerned. If they should decide to go forward with such a scheme, they would have to seek the necessary powers by means of an Order under the Water Act, 1945, and my right honourable friend the Minister of Housing would arrange a public inquiry before coming to any decision on the proposal. It is known that the Pembrokeshire County Council are aware of the importance of considering whether such a dam could be used to secure an important highway improvement, and they may be expected to co-operate with the Prescelly Water Board. All the points mentioned in my noble friend's Question would be brought out at the public inquiry and taken fully into account by the Minister, who would consult with my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport on the traffic and navigation aspects of the proposal.
LORD MERTHYRMy Lords, in thanking the noble Earl for his Answer, may I ask him a supplementary question arising from it; namely, whether Her Majesty's Government will seriously consider the possibility of saving an appreciable sum of money—I think it is about £150,000—which it is proposed to spend on a vehicular ferry between Pembroke Dock and Neyland, which could be done if the site of the dam were low enough down the estuary?
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, I think the answer to that question is clearly, Yes. My right honourable friend fully realises that this might well be possible, and he intends to keep in touch, as and when necessary, with the Pembrokeshire County Council who, as the highway authority, are responsible for the proposed improvement to the slipway at Hobbs Point Ferry.
LORD MERTHYRMy Lords, if I may ask a further supplementary question, will Her Majesty's Government provide for an authority, in the nature of a conservancy authority, to look after all the various conflicting interests upon this whole waterway?
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, I understand that the question which my noble friend asked is whether Her Majesty's Government intend to establish an overall authority for control of the new port at Milford Haven, and the answer is, Yes. After consultation with the interests concerned, we have decided to establish a conservancy authority for Milford Haven, and a Bill for this purpose will be introduced in the next Session of Parliament. My right honourable friend is making a similar statement in another place in reply to a Question this afternoon.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, would the noble Earl do whatever is possible to bring the whole question to the notice of the Minister of Transport? Motor traffic increases by leaps and bounds every year, and if nothing is done to improve the existing ferry at Milford Haven, it means that anybody who wishes to proceed from Tenby or Pembroke to Fishguard, through Haverfordwest, will have to face an extra twenty-five to thirty miles' journey. It is a matter of great importance from the point of view of communications, and I very much hope that this 645 suggestion will be pressed when the Minister of [Transport comes to consider it.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, there are two points which my noble friend raises—first, the improvement of the ferry and, secondly, the construction of a road over the dam. My noble friend will realise that these points are closely connected, and that the decision on one must depend on the decision of the other. However, I certainly will convey the noble Earl's views to my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I ask whether the noble Earl is aware that delays in getting on board the ferry, when there is such a volume of motor traffic on the roads to-day, are very considerable and that the matter is of first-class importance from the point of view of road transport.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, I fully appreciate that point. If the noble Earl has been on the Hobbs Point Ferry, as I have, he will not go again.
§ LORD WINSTERMy Lords, I hope that this question is not irrelevant, but may I ask whether this proposal for a dam at Milford Haven links up in any way with the other proposal for improving the docking facilities at the port? There have been proposals to improve greatly the docking arrangements at Mil-ford Haven. Are the two matters linked up in any way?
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, if Milford Haven is ultimately developed into a large and important port, then, of course, the docks will have to be reorganised, enlarged and improved.