§ 1. Mr. HOGGEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many vessels fitted with insulated chambers which before the War brought chilled and frozen beef and other descriptions of meat food to this country have been requisitioned by the Transport Department of the Admiralty during the War for purposes other than the carriage or storage of meat; whether he can state the total quantity of meat-foods in tons these steamers would have brought to this country during the period of the War had they not been so requisitioned; and whether he can give the names of the steamers so requisitioned by the Admiralty, and their respective meat-carrying capacities in tons' weight of meat?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Twenty-one of the class of vessels referred to have been requisitioned by the Transport Department and used for naval and military purposes other than the carriage or storage of frozen meat. 1522 I may add that four of the ships were laid up when requisitioned, and in all probability would have continued laid up for the rest of the War, owing to the cost of running them on their ordinary service. these twenty-one ships would probably have made about fifty voyages and carried about 80,000 tons of frozen meat. It is not considered desirable in the national interest to publish the names of vessels engaged on transport work.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWith respect, the question is argumentative, but if I must reply I would say the ships were immediately available at a time of urgency.
§ Sir J. D. REESAre arrangements made to safeguard the interests of British meat companies as compared with those of American firms operating in England?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is a matter for the Board of Trade.
§ 2. Mr. PRINGLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the steamship "Maine," ex "Heliopolis," which was bought by the Admiralty three years ago and has been lying unused at Pembroke ever since, was on 1st March bought at auction by Messrs. Harris and Dixon, Limited, on the undertaking given by the auctioneer, who stated that he was authorised by the Admiralty to announce that the vessel would not be requisitioned except in case of urgent necessity and that, if so requisitioned, the market rates current at the time would be paid and not Blue Book rates; and if Blue Book rates for this ship would amount to about 7s. per ton on the deadweight per month, and current market rates at present ruling amount to 40s. per ton on the deadweight per month for neutrals and 25s. per ton on the deadweight for British steamers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The current market rate, as my hon. Friend implies, is several times higher than the Blue Book rates. It has for some time been the practice to give a guarantee of the kind in question to British purchasers of neutral vessels in order to enable them to pay a price sufficient to obtain such vessels in competition with foreign purchasers, who would not in any event be subject to requisition. In view of the fact that the "Heliopolis" required 1523 some months' work at a considerable expense before She would be fit for work, it was considered that a reasonable price could not fairly be expected unless a similar guarantee were given. The financial advantage of the guarantee, of course, accrues to the Exchequer, and it is the intention to leave the vessel for employment in the ordinary trade of the country.
§ 58. Mr. WATTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of steamers owned by the Lamport and Holt Line fitted with insulated chambers for the carriage of chilled and frozen meat, etc., which are at present running regularly between the Argentine and the United States, giving their names and respective carrying capacities of meat in tons; and why, in view of the shortage of merchant ships and the high price of meat, these steamers are not employed between the Argentine and the United Kingdom or France?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)Messrs. Lamport and Holt, Limited, have at present eight vessels fitted with refrigerated chambers. Their names and carrying capacities are as follows:—
| Steamship. | Tons of Meat. | Steamship. | Tons of Meat. | |
| "Vauban" | … | 2,900 | "Voltaire" | 2,900 |
| "Verdi" | … | 1,800 | "Meissonier" | 3,000 |
| "Versari" | … | 3,100 | "Memling" | 3,000 |
| "Vestris" | … | 2,900 | "Murillo" | 3,000 |
§ The "M" boats have been mainly employed in carrying meat to the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, and certain of the "V" boats have on occasion been so engaged, though their regular employment is in trading between the Argentine and the United States. I am at present in communication with the company as to utilising all the above vessels for carrying meat to Europe.