HC Deb 10 November 1932 vol 270 cc512-3
73. Mr. HICKS (for Mr. THORNE)

asked the Postmaster-General the reasons why so many mail-bags are held up at the port of Southampton; if he is aware that no mail-carrying ship will leave that port until 16th November; and whether, as mail-carrying ships receive subsidies from the Government, he will take steps to prevent such delays in future?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Ernest Bennett)

The sailing of the "Mauretania" from Southampton on the 10th instant was cancelled by the Cunard Company. No other suitable ship being available, arrangements have been made for the mails for the United States to be forwarded by the "Europa" sailing on the 12th instant, not on the 16th as suggested by the hon. Member in his question. My right hon. Friend is fully alive to the necessity for providing as good a mail service to the United States as existing shipping conditions will permit.

Mr. N. MACLEAN

Is there any period in the contracts entered into between shipping companies and the Government with regard to the sailing of ships carrying mails?

Sir E. BENNETT

There are contracts and the companies keep as close as possible to the sailing times of the ships, but in this case there was an arrangement for repairs which made it necessary for the "Mauretania" to he delayed. I think that the impression in the mind of the hon. Member who put this question down is that, even when mail ships fail to carry the mails, they are subsidised. That is not the case. If a mail ship fails to carry the mails on any one day, the company suffers a forfeit of 1-52nd of the contract payment.

Mr. MAXTON

Can the Assistant Postmaster-General say which of the British companies owns the steamship which he mentions?

Sir E. BENNETT

The "Europa" is not owned by a British company.