HC Deb 18 November 1918 vol 110 cc3164-5
1. Major HUNT

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a small body of discharged sailors and soldiers, all possessing first-hand experience in that business, were refused permission to charter a small steamer to run in the general cargo trade between London and Northern France?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Wardle)

I am informed by the Ministry of Shipping that in order effectively to control the general cargo trade between the United Kingdom and France it was found necessary to confine the business to the regular lines established before the War working directly under the control of the Ministry. The question of the continuance of this system in view of the altered circumstances is now under consideration.