§ 8. Mr. HOUSTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is by his instructions that the Coal Controller has limited the shipment of bunker coal in Glasgow to about 500 tons for large ocean steamers when these steamers subsequently call at Liverpool to complete loading, entailing the procuring of bunker coal for the voyage at Liverpool, at an increased price of 45s. per ton over the Glasgow price, thereby greatly increasing the expenses of the voyage to South America and necessitating higher homeward freights on foodstuffs than if the whole of the bunker coal was procurable at Glasgow; and whether he will give instructions to the Coal Controller that steamers may obtain their entire bunkers at Glasgow?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe position remains as stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Tradeston Division of Glasgow on the 1st March. The shortage of coal for inland consumption in Scotland is still such that full bunkers even for regular liners and 5 other vessels loading full cargoes outwards from Glasgow can only be supplied with difficulty. If home supplies are to be maintained it is essential to restrict the quantity of bunkers to be supplied to vessels which in the course of their voyage are about to call at Liverpool, where adequate supplies of South Wales coal are available.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs my hon. Friend not aware that this order involves an increase of £3,000 or £4,000 in the cost of a ship's voyage?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am quite aware it is very inconvenient, but I do not know the exact cost.