HL Deb 25 March 1970 vol 308 cc1405-7
LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGH

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what ports and facilities are proposed or available in the United Kingdom for dealing with 300,000 ton bulk ore carriers.]

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, there are none at present, so far as the Government are aware. The initiative in port development rests with the port authorities. Where new terminals are wanted for specific purposes it is for the affected industries to discuss their needs with the port managements concerned.

LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGH

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. May I ask whether he is aware that in the North-West of Australia there is a practically limitless amount of very high grade iron ore? Will the Government take steps to see that the British steel industry does not miss out on this bonanza to the Japanese and Americans, as will happen unless the necessary port facilities are arranged? Will he further give an assurance that there will be no threat of a limitation on British investment in these exciting enterprises?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I must be frank. I have watched the reports of the Australian Stock Exchange, but I really do not see how those two supplementary questions can be related to the Question on the Order Paper.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware, and content, that Scotland's first imports of Australian ore have come via Rotterdam, and that one-sixth of this country's grain already comes by that route?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, again I do not see how that supplementary arises from the Question on the Order Paper.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that since there is a limit to the size of a ship which can navigate and sail in the North Sea there might be an opportunity for British ports, by the development of a port such as my noble friend suggests, to recapture some of the ground they have lost?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, if the noble Lord will look again at the Answer I gave originally he will see that this is a matter about which the industries directly concerned should consult the appropriate port authority. For instance, in Tees and the Hartlepools there has been an agreement between the British Steel Corporation and the authority for a new terminal on Tees-side to take initially vessels of 100,000 deadweight tons, to come up to 250,000 deadweight tons. That is an example of what I indicated in my original Answer should be done.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that three and a half years ago the National Ports Council proposed to the Government that there should be studies on this matter, and can he say whether those studies will extend to a cost benefit study, such as has been under consideration?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, studies have been undertaken, and I look for-ward to the noble Earl's support when we have the Ports Bill before this House for approval.

LORD REA

My Lords, does the noble Lord not agree that not only Tees-side but also other ports, both in the British Isles and in Southern Ireland, are already hoping to make forward-looking arrangements for cargoes of this size?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, again I hope that, with the noble Lord's support, we shall get the Ports Bill through the House.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, is the noble Lord not aware that the Ports Bill has nothing to do with this matter?

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that I think that the Government are concentrating too much on Tees-side and too little on Tyneside?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, asking my noble friend Lord Shepherd whether he is aware of some secret thought of my noble friend is not strictly in order. Could my noble friend pose a question related to the original?

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, I always put my questions quietly and in a few sentences. Could my noble friend say why he cannot urge the Steel Board not to neglect the Tyne and Tyne Docks, and South Shields, and to bring iron ore to Tyneside?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, with permission, I will consider the point made by my noble friend and perhaps communicate with him.