§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Minister of Transport (1) what studies she is making of the need for giving investment grants to encourage the container 115W revolution, not only at port terminals, but also at inland depôts, and if she will make a statement;
(2) what consultations she is having with the President of the Board of Trade about assisting the setting up of new container depôts in development areas.
§ Mrs. CastleThe Government have already taken steps to encourage the container revolution by making available investment grants for ships, for the purchase of up to three sets of containers provided as part of the equipment of a new or converted container ship and for port facilities for container operations. The need for an additional incentive in the form of grant for inland clearance depôts, including depôts serving development areas, is still under consideration.
§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Minister of Transport if she will make the need to assist the container revolution her first priority when planning new motorways, new dual carriageways, and major road improvements.
§ Mrs. CastleThe needs of industrial and commercial traffic and the movement of exports are already of high priority in planning future road improvements. To the extent that the increased use of containers will alter the distribution and volume of such traffic this will be taken fully into account.