§ Mr. G. Straussasked the Minister of Transport whether he was consulted by the Port of London Authority before that body put up its dues by 40 per cent., making an increase of 67 per cent. since the outbreak of war; and whether he is satisfied that this increase will not put an additional and unnecessary charge on the cost of imports of food and raw materials?
§ Captain WallaceThe Port of London Authority have increased their charges on two occasions since the outbreak of hostilities, in order to meet the financial effects of the war. In both instances the increases have been authorised by Orders made by me under the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, after a full examination of the needs of the Authority and of the representations put forward by interests affected by the increases. The effect of the two Orders is to authorise the Authority to increase their pre-war charges by amounts varying from 7½ to 40 per cent., according to the description of the charge.