HL Deb 27 July 1972 vol 333 cc1493-4

3.17 p.m.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

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 what conclusions they have drawn from their study of the possible demands by bulk raw material users for development of maritime industrial development areas as originally proposed by the National Ports Council.

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)

My Lords, I have nothing to add to my Answers of April 26 and June 15. The detailed consideration of the study has yet to be completed.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, in rising for the third time to thank my noble friend for that uninformative Answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that it is now 12 weeks since he told us that studies of studies of studies were proceeding? Is he aware that when the last set of studies was set in hand 16 months ago the object was to get an answer by last Christmas, and we are now therefore seven months behind?

LORD DRUMALBYN

Yes, my Lords, I am aware that it has taken some time to get full consideration of this subject; but I can tell my noble friend that, in the meantime, the information that is in the Report is being used, and has already been drawn on.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, could my noble friend tell us a little more about that, because we are left in the dark? Is he not aware that a neglect of our deep water sites could lead us to be, not an off-shore island but an off-shire islet in the European Community which is so near to the Government's heart?

LORD DRUMALBYN

Yes, my Lords; but this particular study was not carried out specifically to determine whether or not there should be a maritime industrial development area but to provide general background information to help with the decisions on possible planning applications over a number of years.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, could my noble friend tell us whether there is any chance of the information which has been assembled being made available?

LORD DRUMALBYN

Not yet, at any rate, my Lords. It has still to be considered by Departments, then it will be considered by Ministers, and then the Ministers will decide how and in what form any information should be made available.

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, have the Government not got other deep water problems on their minds?

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that if British industry was in fact largely based on navigable water frontage then 99 per cent. of all their present troubles would be at an end?