88. Sir W. RUNCIMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what were the reasons which induced him to agree in the liner requisition agreement to hire for liners being paid during periods of inefficiency due to marine risk contributed to or prolonged by war conditions; whether, moreover, the rates of hire for liners are higher than for what are called tramps; whether in a very large number of cases modern tramps are more expensive and higher-class vessels than many vessels called liners; and for what reason he has placed the tramps in respect to these two hire conditions in a worse position than liners?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Sir Leo Chiozza Money)The arrangement referred to in the first part of the question was agreed to as part of a comprehensive bargain with the liner companies. As regards the remainder of the question, the rates of hire for tramp vessels under requisition have recently been increased, and in arriving at the new rates the contingencies referred to by the right hon. Member have been fully taken into account. As a result the rates for tramps are now, in some cases, above those for cargo liners of similar size and speed.