Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether the Port and Transit Executive Committee is in occupation of an area of land known as the Rock Cutting, adjoining the Barton Aqueduct, Manchester Ship Canal; for what purposes this land is now used; is he aware that the land is urgently required for business purposes, and that if released by the Government Department concerned the transport of hundreds of tons of goods to Manchester and vicinity could be effected direct by water instead of as at present by rail from East Coast ports; and can he say that a special effort will be made to release the land at an early date?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI am informed that no land is or has been in the occupation of the Port and Transit. Executive Committee. The latter parts of the question do not therefore arise; but inquiries are being made as to the occupation of the land referred to, and I will inform the honourable and gallant Member of the result.