HL Deb 17 June 1969 vol 302 cc906-7

2.50 p.m.

THE EARL OF CROMARTIE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why loads of monstrous size are still sent to Dounreay by road transport at maximum cost to the taxpayer as well as maximum inconvenience to Highland road users, causing damage to roads, bridges and sometimes buildings, when they could be sent by sea as quickly and at much less cost.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD KENNET)

My Lords, the heaviest and bulkiest loads for Dounreay are transported by sea. For loads up to 40 tons road transport is more economic, and construction schedules do not always; permit the accumulation of smaller loads to be made up into an economic ship cargo.

THE EARL OF CROMARTIE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that on May 21 two vast transporters, not in fact going to Dounreay but to somewhere else, stuck on the main road because they could not get under a bridge? It was an inadequate main road, and they had to back for over four miles to go on to an even less adequate road, where there was nearly a serious accident. Would the noble Lord not agree that it is time that the Secretary of State for Scotland, plus the Minister of Transport, took some cognisance of these tremendous loads travelling on our roads which are not capable of carrying them?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, the noble Lord's words will, I know, be seen and marked by the Minister of Transport and the Secretary of State for Scotland. But they arise out of a load going elsewhere than to Dounreay. Therefore, I am not able to comment on them in detail.

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that for years we have tried to get heavy transport off the roads and on to rail and sea, but we have always been opposed by the Opposition on the basis of freedom of private enterprise? Does not the noble Earl's Question arise in contradistinction to the policy of his own Party?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, I was aware of the fact contained in the first part of the noble Lord's supplementary question. As to the second part, I do not think it is for me to answer.