§ 69. Mr. PRINGLEasked whether ships on their outward voyage from British to American ports have been diverted to Newfoundland to carry cargoes of wood-pulp produced by the Anglo-Newfoundland Trust to the United States; whether this deviation involves a delay of seven days; and, if so, whether instructions have now been given to discontinue the practice?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI have inquired fully into this matter since my hon. Friend raised it in Debate. The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. No requisitioned ship, and so far as I can ascertain, no ship of any kind, either British, Allied, or neutral, engaged in or suitable for transatlantic trade, has been used to carry wood-pulp from Newfoundland to the United States of America. Certain small neutral and American ships have taken cargoes, in addition to two British ships, one a small whaler, and the other the small passenger ship "Florizel," which was recently lost. I think I ought to add that the two ocean going ships possessed by this company, and used by them for the special purpose of carrying their pulp to this country, were requisitioned by the Shipping Controller early in 1917, and are in general service.