68. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the continued shortage of iron-ore tonnage from Mediterranean and Spanish ports to the North-east Coast, fixtures have recently been allowed from Huelva to Rotterdam; and whether in future he will see that our own iron and steel industries are not starved and our own men thrown out of work for the benefit of Germany, which is presumably the ultimate destination of these cargoes?
Colonel WILSONI am not aware of any recent fixtures of British vessels from Huelva to Rotterdam, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the cases he has in mind I will have enquiries made. I need not say that the Shipping Controller has no control over vessels under foreign flags.