§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSI beg to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping a question, of which private notice has been given by the hon. Member for the Bosworth Division (Mr. H. McLaren), namely, whether he is aware that there is some misunderstanding as to the restrictions recently issued regarding the sailing of ships from English ports, and whether he will make it clear that there is no intention of interfering with the departures of sailing ships or of steamers already supplied with bunker coal, except in so far as it is necessary to ensure that fuel is not carried as cargo?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Leslie Wilson)I did not know that this question was to be asked as a private notice question. I understood it was going to be put down as a Written question for to-day. There has been a slight misunderstanding regarding the restrictions. No clearance is being refused to any foreign vessel in any English port in consequence of the present emergency. As regards vessels under the British flag,-clearance is being granted to all ships except those that contain coal in their holds. As regards vessels carrying coal in their holds, in view of the importance of preserving in a mobile form coal cargoes which may be required for emergency purposes, vessels falling in this category are being held until it can be decided how their cargoes can best be disposed of in the national interests. It should be explained that apart from vessels with coal in holds, all vessels with bunkers already on board are now free to sail.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes it affect sailing vessels?
§ Colonel WILSONThe question would not apply to sailing vessels, because they do not require bunkers. They will receive clearance.
§ Colonel WILSONI should like notice of that question. I am not quite certain. I think not.