Cold Storage Facilities, Cardiff

HC Deb 01 May 1946 vol 422 cc21-2W

50. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the communication from the Cardiff City Council concerning the cold storage facilities at Cardiff; and whether he will make a statement.

Sir B. Smith:

Yes, Sir. The issue is somewhat involved and I therefore attach a copy of the communication and of the reply which I caused to be sent to it on 26th April.

Following are the communications

City of Cardiff

S. Tapper Jones, LL.B.,

Town Clerk,

Clerk of the Peace.

City Hall,

Cardiff.

30th March, 1946.

SIR,

South Wales Ports Cold Storage Facilities.Upon instructions from the City Council I have sent a letter to the Cardiff Members of Parliament setting forth a resolution of the Development Committee relating to the South Wales Ports. The resolution is as follows:—That, in view of the serious position at the South Wales Ports, the Cardiff City Council urges the Minister of Food to take immediate steps to ensure that all imported food supplies for consumption in South Wales and its distributive areas are imported through the South Wales Ports, thus utilising the Cold Storage facilities already in existence.My Committee are hoping that the Members of Parliament will be communicating with you as naturally this matter, which has caused concern for such a long time, is one of great anxiety to my Council.A reply at your earliest convenience, giving particulars of the present position would he appreciated.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

S. Tapper Jones

Town Clerk.

Sir Ben Smith, M. P.

Minister of Food, London.

26th April, 1946.

Dear Sir,

Sir Ben Smith has asked me to reply to your letter of the 30th March.He has given careful consideration to the resolution of the Cardiff City Council and he has every sympathy with the spirit in which it was adopted.The primary consideration which determines port of discharge must be to make the best use of inland transport facilities and avoid delays in transit. The consumption of refrigerated produce in the South Wales area is low and the distribution of imports to the large consuming areas is more effectively dealt with through other portsTo import solely through South Wales ports "for consumption in South Wales and its distributive areas" would, because of steamer tonnages, involve considerable transport movements in areas in proximity to other ports or alternatively heavier cold storage holdings with the possibility of subsequent movements from South Wales Cold Stores to areas which are served more economically from ports.In this matter Sir Ben Smith feels he must consider the wider national interest, but the claims of South Wales are always in mind and in the past when suitable shipments have been available for distribution there they have been discharged at South Wales ports.Yours faithfully,G. S. Bishop,Private Secretary.S. Tapper Jones, Esq., LL B.,Town Clerk,City Hall, Cardiff.