§ 16. Mr. GILBERTasked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the custom of his Department to reserve a certain number of berths on all passenger steamers leaving this country for India; and, if so, will he state what is the average number of such berths reserved; and whether, in the event of the same not being required by his Department, such berths are released in time for the use of the travelling public from whom there is a demand for passages at present?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Leslie Wilson)I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is difficult, in view of the difference in the size and class of the ships, to give any average number, but from 15 per cent. to 30 per cent. of the accommodation available in liners is reserved. In the unusual event of any berth not being registered for a Government passenger, it is immediately released to the shipping company.