§ 83. Mr. FIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Dublin Port and Docks Board complain of the methods recently adopted whereby the usual supplies of tobacco, tea, sugar, and other commodities are brought across the Channel, contrary to former 2117 practice, thus entailing avoidable delay, expense, and a lesser quantity of goods delivered for city and country distribution; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to provide a remedy?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Sir Leo Chiozza Money)I have received particulars of this complaint and have made inquiries. It is, I think, undoubtedly the case that, owing to convoy arrangements and to some extent to a change in the character of the traffic, certain overseas cargoes discharged direct in Ireland have decreased. I fear, however, that this is inevitable under present conditions. For example, in the case of sugar not only are supplies restricted, but for a long time past only unrefined sugar has been available, and this has had to be brought to the United Kingdom to be refined. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that everything possible will be done to restore the trade to normal conditions at the earliest moment.
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYCertainly; with very great pleasure.