Volume Four - An Era of Change, Uncertainty, Depression & War - Penarth Dock closure in 1936 . . .

In Parliament Captain Arthur Evans addressed the House of Commons [088] on the subject of closure on 11th May 1936 commencing at 11.12 p.m:

“I must apologise to the House for raising such an important subject at this late hour but I am sure the House will appreciate this is the only opportunity open to me. I desire to draw attention to the closing of the Penarth Dock by the Great Western Railway Company, their obligations to South Wales generally, and the responsibility of the Government in the matter.

I think it is fair to say that in the past the sound financial position of the Great Western Railway Company has been built largely on the revenues it has derived from South Wales industries and particularly the exporting and importing activities of the docks. Indeed, the position was so favourable in 1922 that the company came to Parliament and asked for powers to acquire all the dock and railway undertakings of their competitors in the area and so enjoy all the conveniences of a monopoly.

Since those halcyon days, South Wales has passed and is passing through times of dire stress. Everybody has been affected, even such immense and powerful organisations as the Great Western Railway Company themselves, and we find that to-day they are accepting financial assistance from the taxpayers of the country through the agency of loan guarantees and under agreements with the Treasury. In reply to a question which I put to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week, I was informed that the company had already received a sum of £5,000 for improving the dock facilities in Penarth Dock itself and that they were to benefit by no less a sum than £5,500,000 under agreement with the Treasury.

That the Great Western Railway Company has a solemn obligation and responsibility beyond that of internal and local economies there can be no doubt, but my submission is that when they accept public money for the purpose of improving the public service then their obligation and responsibility is emphasised and clearly defined. As far as obligations are concerned I am advised that when opposition was threatened to their merger plan in 1922 in the Committee upstairs, the Great Western Railway gave a specific assurance that in no circumstances would any part of the docks be allowed to be brought into a worse condition than if pre-merger conditions applied. If pre-merger conditions did apply to-day and competition still obtained—one thing is certain—Penarth Dock would not be closing down in July next.