§ Mr. HOFFMANasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the serious unemployment in and around Tilbury and the anxiety of the local authorities that works shall be started by the Port of London Authority; whether this authority has approached the Government with a view to obtaining assistance; and with what result?
§ Mr. GOSLINGIn December, 1922, the Port of London Authority discussed with the Government the possibility of obtaining financial assistance to enable them to put in hand immediately, with a view to relieving unemployment during that winter, large dock works at. Tilbury, then estimated to cost £3,000,000, and less extensive works at the Surrey Commercial Docks, then estimated to cost £500,000, and in January the Government agreed in principle to grant a loan to the Port of London Authority at 3½ per cent. for 30 years to cover the cost of these works. The works at the Surrey Com- 2013W mercial Docks were eventually started under this arrangement and are now in progress and about 500 men are, I understand, engaged upon them. At Tilbury, however, owing to legal and other difficulties and the modifications which the Port of London Authority have found it necessary to make from time to time in their plans, no work has as yet been started, and the Authority have withdrawn their application for the necessary powers to enable them to carry out the scheme, and the financial arrangements with the Government in connection with this scheme have lapsed. There are, however, I understand, certain works at Tilbury, including a new dry dock, which the Port of London Authority would be prepared to put in hand at Tilbury with Government assistance, and I am in communication with them as to terms.