§ 20. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the Shipping Controller is aware of the congested state of the port of Glasgow; and if he will explain why a certain steamer loaded with cotton and cotton seed was recently sent to Glasgow to discharge, where she will occupy some three weeks in doing so, instead of being sent to Liverpool, where she could have been discharged in about one-third of the time?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYIt was necessary to send the vessel in question to Glasgow in order to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Food. Apart from that necessity, I am assured that the ship can be dealt with there at least as promptly as would have been possible under existing conditions at Liverpool.
§ Mr. HOUSTONCan my right hon. Friend explain how cotton is an article of food, and would it not be better to see that this congested port is relieved of the congestion caused by British ships being sent there?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe explanation on the first inquiry is that oil materials are under the control of the Ministry of Food, and these oil materials are required for the crushing mills in the neighbourhood of Glasgow. That is why this particular ship was sent to Glasgow.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIn view of the great shortage of shipping, would it not have been better to have ordered the vessel to Liverpool, where it would have been discharged in about a week, instead of being delayed for three weeks?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI have made inquiries on that point, and I am assured by the official who has direction of these matters that the delay would not be anything like that indicated in the hon. Member's question; while the major purpose, if the hon. Member's suggestion had been followed, of getting this material to Glasgow, which was urgently necessary, would not have been carried into effect.
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERWill facilities be given for the transfer of the cotton from Glasgow, where it is not wanted, to Liverpool, where it is wanted?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI can assure my hon. Friend that the cargo, which consisted mainly of cotton seed, is required at Glasgow, and that is why it was sent there.
§ Mr. HOUSTONCannot my hon. Friend credit me with greater knowledge of the circumstances connected with this ship than the gentleman to whom he refers, seeing that it is my own ship?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYIf my hon. Friend can state to me any circumstance on which I have not touched in my answer, I shall be glad to consider it.