§ Mr. Ogdenasked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the present annual capacity for coal exports from Merseyside;
(2) what steps he will take to maintain and improve Merseyside facilities as a coal-exporting area.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe present appliances on Merseyside would enable 305W about 3¼ million tons to be shipped outward annually. They are quite adequate for present shipments.
The maintenance and improvement of these facilities for coal exports are matters, in the first instance, for the responsible harbour authority in consultation with the National Coal Board.