49. Sir F. HALLasked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the report recently issued by the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association dealing with the disorganisation of shipping arising from the present methods of Government control; and whether he will state when the Government propose to remove such control?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)My attention has been drawn to the report of this Association, and the Government are, as the House is aware, considering the question of the continuance of the various controls. The general policy is not to continue controls longer than is necessary, but each control has been dealt with by itself, and it is not possible at the moment to give a date on which they will terminate.
Sir F. HALLThe right hon. Gentleman says that each of these various controls has to be dealt with independently. Will he look specially into the question of the vast amount of tonnage held up owing to the control of shipping by the Government?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have discussed the matter many times with the Shipping Controller, and I can assure my hon. Friend there is no Member of the House so anxious to end it as he.