§ 62. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether he is aware that on the morning of the 1st March 30 vessels were awaiting discharging berths at Liverpool; that at noon nine of these vessels were provided with berths, some of which were not clear of previous cargoes, leaving 21 vessels unprovided with discharging berths; whether he is aware that during the month of February the number of vessels each morning waiting for berths ranged from 35 on 4th February to 24 on 27th February; that subsequently at neon on each day discharging berths were allotted to limited numbers of these steamers, ranging from 15 to five, but that alter the available berths had been allotted the number of vessels daily left unprovided with discharging berths ranged from 25 on 14th February and 16th February to 12 on 19th February and 21st February; and that in many of these instances the berths were not clear berths for discharging; whether he is aware that it now takes about four times as long to discharge and load a steamer as it did before the War; and if he will state whether this delay is due to any other cause than inadequate transport and congestion of warehouses?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Leslie Wilson)The facts are substantially as stated by my hon. Friend in the first five parts of his question. With regard to the sixth part, it is impossible to lay down any general average as to turn round of ships at the present time, as each case of discharging or loading would require separate investigation, but undoubtedly the utility of the Mercantile Marine is being seriously lessened by the delays in port. The delay is due to a variety of causes and there will be an opportunity of discussing this question on the Motion which is to be moved by my hon. Friend the Member for Chippenham.