§ Mr. Llewellynasked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that he will grant no further extension of time before the expiry of which a charges scheme must be submitted under Section 76 of the Transport Act, 1947; how many times and on what dates the introduction of the new charges scheme has been delayed; and whether he is aware that until prompt action is taken, hardship will continue in the ports of Cardiff and Barry.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAn extension of two years was allowed in July, 1949, and a further two years was allowed in August, 1951. Clearly the Commission cannot submit draft charges schemes for merchandise carried by rail or for ports pending the decision of Parliament on the proposals in the Transport Bill affecting the basis on which such schemes must be framed. I am, therefore, unable to give the assurance sought in the first part of the Question.
As to the last part, the Commission inform me that, apart from other factors, until a charges scheme for merchandise 116W by rail is settled, it would not be possible to make fundamental changes in the existing rail rates to and from the ports of Cardiff and Barry or in the port charges.