§ 21. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether coal is being sent to Italy from Great Britain in requisitioned British liners at Blue Book rates; what the hire money and expenses for the voyage to Italy represent in freight per ton of coal carried; the cost of the coal f.o.b. at the loading port and the cost of the coal plus freight and charges delivered at the Italian port of discharge; whether this coal is sold to the Italian Government or to local authorities or private firms or individuals in Italy; and whether he can account for the price of coal in Italy, which costs the private consumer £24 per ton or thereabouts?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Sir L. Chiozza Money)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The hire and expenses represent a freight of about 17s. 6d. a ton, exclusive of war risk, which is borne by the Italian Government. The price of the coal f.o.b. at the loading port varies according to the nature of the coal, but 30s. may be regarded as an average price; the cost of the coal delivered at an Italian port may be taken as 50s. 6d., exclusive of war risk. The coal so delivered is sold to the Italian Government. The Ministry of Shipping have no means of accounting for the retail price of coal in Italy.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWill the hon. Gentleman take measures to represent to the Foreign Office or to the Consular Service the fact that the people of Italy ought to be informed that it is not the British Government, or the British shipowner, or the British coal-owner, who is responsible for the high price of coal in Italy?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI can only say, in answer to that question, that the facts are as I have stated.
Sir H. DALZIELCan the hon. Gentleman offer any explanation as to who is getting the difference between the 50s. and £24 a ton?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI can add nothing to my answer, which gives all the facts.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWill the hon. Gentleman reply to my request that he will make representations to the Foreign Office?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI think my hon. Friend's question has already achieved that purpose.
§ 22. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether there have been instances where British vessels have been requisitioned at blue-book rates and carried coal from the United Kingdom to Italian ports and immediately after discharge of cargo, have been put off hire and owners compelled to purchase bunker coal for the return voyage at current Italian market rates, although this bunker coal has been carried in the ship; and whether the hire money paid to owners in such cases has been swallowed up or nearly so by the cost of the bunker coal which had to be paid for by the owners, reducing the freight on the cargo coal carried to nil or nearly so?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYWhere under a practice discontinued some time ago, an owner accepted in Italy release of his vessel from requisition, he paid the current market price for any Government bunker coal taken over, just as the Government does in taking over owners' coal at the commencement of requisition. No owner, however, was compelled to accept delivery in Italy on those terms. He always had the option of remaining under requisition and was therefore never put in the position of earning less than the normal profit obtainable under bluebook conditions on either the outward or homeward voyage.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIn reference to the first portion of the hon. Gentleman's reply, which proves the statements made in this question, is not that a proof that the British shipowners and the British Government are not responsible for the price of coal in Italy?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYIt is clear from my former answer that they are certainly not responsible.