HC Deb 07 December 1965 vol 722 cc81-2W
73. Mr. Bence

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to improve the techniques in methods of transhipment of goods at docks and railway termini.

Mr. Tom Fraser

The Government have set up an Economic Development Committee on the Movement of Exports. My Department also takes part in the work of the Combined Transport Working Party of the Economic Commission for Europe, and is in close touch with the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association.

The National Ports Council has operational research studies in hand, as have the British Railways Board, and the port authorities. New techniques for handling and discharging are being increasingly adopted and considerable investment has been made, for example, by British Railways and the Transport Holding Com- pany, in new or improved methods of transhipment such as liner trains, roll-on/roll-off terminals, containerisation and automatic dischargers.