asked the Minister of Transport if the shipping companies have been consulted with regard to the commercial possibilities of a ship canal between the Forth and Clyde; and if they are in favour of the scheme or otherwise?

I have no specific information on the points raised. It would, I think, be for the advocates of the canal, if they desire to learn the views of shipping companies or other parties, to take steps themselves to obtain such information as they require.

What were the names of the shipping companies referred to?

As I did not ask them, I cannot tell my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to make some inquiry locally into this matter, in order to find out how much support there is for the project?

It is a question, not so much of what support there is, but of whether the canal would pay, and whether the shipping would ever use it if it were built.

Is not that a matter that could be gone into if there were a local inquiry by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department?

No. So far as the information available goes—I am speaking from recollection—it would cost from £40,000,000 to £50,000,000, and, from all the information I have so far received, there would be no considerable volume of shipping using it if it were built.