§ 18. Mr. MACKINDERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether before the War Admiralty charts were sold through the agency of private firms, such as nautical opticians; whether during the War the Admiralty supplied the greater part of the Mercantile Marine with charts on loan; whether recently the Admiralty have circularised the shipowners with a view to establishing a system of direct sales in competition with the said private firms; what proportion of the shipowners so circularised have replied favourably to the Admiralty scheme?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAdmiralty charts were sold before the War, and continue to be sold, through an agent and his sub-agents, which include nautical opticians. During the War it was found essential, for various reasons, to supply charts on loan to the greater part of the Mercantile Marine. On the release of ships from Admiralty control, a strong desire was expressed by a number of shipowners and 1989 masters to continue to have the advantage of a direct supply from the Admiralty of suitable chart sets, but on a payment basis. To ascertain the views of shipowners, a circular was sent out suggesting a scheme for doing this. This scheme was approved and adopted by 22 per cent. of the firms circularised, and is still under consideration by 54 per cent.
§ 19. Mr. MACKINDERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have set up a Government agency for the sale of charts at Liverpool; whether they have announced to shipowners their intention of setting up such chart shops in other commercial ports; what advantages to the shipping community are anticipated from this competition with old-established private enterprise; and what is estimated to be the cost to the taxpayer of the proposed new system?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI propose to circulate this answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but I will read the concluding paragraph.
§ The following is the Answer referred to:
§ An Admiralty Chart Depot has recently been established at Liverpool, to deal with the large numbers of charts being returned from His Majesty's ships and ships of the Mercantile Marine with a view to salving as many as possible. Merchant ships are being supplied with Admiralty folios of charts through this depot. It is not the present intention to open further Admiralty Chart Depots in the United Kingdom.
§ The advantages of the Admiralty scheme recognised by shipowners are: They can rely upon all charts issued from a depot being correct up to date of issue for the latest navigational information available. The folios of charts issued contain the Admiralty standard for navigational purposes. The folios supplied are automatically replenished by issues of Admiralty notice to mariners, sailing directions, new editions of charts, etc. Economy in charts carried as masters can obtain supplementary folios at Admiralty Chart Depots in foreign waters. The ships' charts can be corrected on request by qualified officers in the Admiralty Chart Depots.
§ It is not anticipated that the Admiralty scheme will impose any additional cost on the taxpayer.
§ Sir W. RAEBURNWas it not under strong protest from the shipowners that 1990 they have had to take these charts from the Admiralty instead of from the firms who have been accustomed to supply them in years gone by?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have said that 22 per cent. of the firms approved and that 54 per cent. had it still under consideration. That still leaves, I think, 24 per cent., and I dare say that amongst them there is something in the nature of a protest, although I do not know.
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNIs it intended to take any steps to recompense the firms whose business has been taken away?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot answer that without notice.
§ Mr. MACKINDERHave the balance of the firms circularised replied in an adverse direction?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would like to look at it again. The fact is that 22 per cent. have approved and 54 per cent. have it still under consideration. In regard to the remainder, it must be assumed for the moment that the majority are against—that is, assuming the worst.