20. Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a considerable quantity of tobacco arriving from Nyasaland by steamers for the Port of London, for which there is no accommodation in tobacco warehouses; that the Port authorities hold out no hope of improvement in the near future; that the tobacco will be lying about the docks or in barges, and will deteriorate by exposure; and whether, seeing that the docks and warehouses are congested with a considerable quantity of wool and other products which are not subject to duty, and therefore need not be stored in bonded warehouses, he will arrange that such products shall be removed to make room for tobacco?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am replying on behalf of my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping. I am aware that there is a considerable quantity of tobacco in the Port of London. The Port and Transit Executive Committee is making every effort to assist the Port of London Authority to arrange for accommodating the tobacco, and, at the same time, is doing its utmost to secure the free flow of the large quantities of wool and other goods now arriving in all the great ports. I am informed that it is not the case that there is much, if any, cargo stored in bonded warehouses which is not subject to duty.
Sir J. D. REESIs my hon. Friend aware that the question connotes no complaint against the Port Authorities, who are, it is believed, doing their utmost to deal with the situation?