§ 73. Major COURTHOPEasked the Prime Minister whether quantities of military stores are being conveyed in barges from Calais to Richborough; whether these barges return to Calais empty; whether he is aware that a large quantity of coal intended for export to Calais and urgently required in France is waiting for shipment; and whether he will consider the possibility of the barges which carry 657 military stores from Calais to England being employed to carry return cargoes of coal from England to Calais?
§ The DEPUTY-MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)The Ministry of Munitions has had under consideration the possibility of utilising the barges returning empty to France from Richborough for commercial freight, and instructions have been given to the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company, the Ministry's agents at Richborough, to afford facilities at commercial rates, so far as the resources of the port permit. The port is not specially fitted for handling coal, but the question of what expenditure would he required to provide the necessary facilities is being examined. I recognise the urgency of the matter, and a decision shall be reached as soon as possible.