HC Deb 22 July 1970 vol 804 cc145-6W
Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Minister of Transport what was the cost per ton of handling cargo in United Kingdom ports for the most recent date for which figures are available; and how this compares with the figure for five years earlier.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

No such figures are readily available.

Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total tonnage of cargo handled by registered dock workers at the most recent date for which figures are available; and how this compares with the tonnage handled five years earlier.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Information in the precise form requested is not readily available. Published statistics are available of tonnages handled at ports covered by the National Dock Labour Scheme, but not all such cargo is handled by registered dock workers.

Excluding altogether figures of oil and oil products, much of which is not handled by registered dock workers, the total tonnage handled at ports in Great Britain covered by the National Dock Labour Scheme in the year 1968 was 128,402,000 tons. The total tonnage for 1965, the earliest year for which published figures are available, was 133,781,000 tons, also excluding oil and oil products. The latter total excludes Whitstable, for which no 1965 figure is available.