§ 13. Mr. LEONARDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in letting out Admiralty oil tankers on charter the Admiralty is in competition with other owners; and, if not, on what basis are the charter prices fixed?
Lord STANLEYWhen Admiralty oilers are let out on charter all possible care is taken to ensure that the rates ruling on the market for similar freights are not undercut. The actual rates obtained are settled by negotiation in the usual way.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERDoes that mean there is actually no basis of competition at all?
§ Mr. ALEXANDERWhen vessels are let out on charter, is it done by open competition in the charter market?
§ 14. Mr. ALEXANDERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to whom the charter commission paid in respect of Admiralty oil tankers chartered to private firms is paid or whether this commission is a part of the revenue of the Admiralty?
Lord STANLEYIn accordance with the usual custom of the trade, charter commission in respect of Admiralty oil tankers chartered to private firms is paid to the brokers through whom the charters are negotiated. It is not therefore part of the revenue of the Admiralty.