§ 108. Major HUNTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that neutral owners are offering ships made in this country by our own starred labour to British owners at a great profit to the neutral owners, he will say why, as allowed by the contract, he does not take over these ships at contract price and sell them to British purchasers for the best price he can get, instead of allowing these profits to go to foreigners on ships constructed by British starred labour?
Mr. RUNCIMANIn the case of two ships there is a Clause in the contract providing for the ships being taken over by the Government If advantage be not taken of this Clause, it will be because some other arrangement is made which is on the whole more to the public interest under present circumstances.
§ Major HUNTDoes the question Of the Government taking over these ships apply to two ships or to all?
Mr. RUNCIMANSome of the contracts relate to the period before there was anything in the nature of war; the Clause was not likely to be in existence then.