§ Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the urgency to develop the economic resources of Gibraltar, if he will state the results of the consideration given by his and other departments concerned in the Port Development Scheme.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydDuring the Governor's recent visit all aspects of the Gibraltar Port Development Scheme were fully reviewed. In the light of this review I have informed the Governor that I approve in principle of his going ahead with the Port Development Scheme, including construction of a deep water quay 1,500 feet in length. I have also told him that I agree that his Government should seek to make arrangements to raise in due course a loan on the London Market, if necessary up to a total of £11 million, and that I agree to the allocation to the cost of the Scheme of a grant of £300,000 from Colonial Development and Welfare funds.
A number of aspects of the Scheme as a whole, including the question of oil bunkering and the future use of certain existing wharves remain under discussion between other departments and the private interests concerned, but the fact that these discussions are continuing will not hold up the Gibraltar Government from now proceeding with all necessary steps to get construction work under way.