HC Deb 05 December 1938 vol 342 cc872-3
66. Commander Marsden

asked the President of the Board of Trade the dates of arrival at the loading port of each ship chartered by the Government for the carriage of grain from the Danube, or, where they have not yet arrived, the dates of expected arrival?

Mr. Cross

As the answer is in tabular form, I will with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Alexander

Is it not a fact that two British ships of the "Tre" line arrived in Danube ports on 9th November, and that only three foreign ships—Greek and Yugoslavlan—having preceded them, there was no justification for booking other foreign vessels in preference to British?

Mr. Cross

I cannot confirm that.

Following is the answer:

The dates of arrival at the loading port of each ship chartered by the Government for the carriage of grain from the Danube are as follow:— Nikola Pasic" arrived Braila, 1st November. Chelators" arrived Braila, 4th November. "Nitsa" arrived Galatz, 4th November. "Taxiarchis" arrived Galatz, 9th November. Trevarrack" arrived Braila, 9th November. Tresillian" arrived Braila, loth November. La" arrived Braila, 12th November. "Perrakis L. Cambanis" arrived Galatz, 15th November. Eirini N. Rallia" arrived Bralla, 16th November. Elswick Park" arrived Galatz, 19th November. Epaminondasc Embiricos" arrived Braila, l0th November. Nellie" arrived Braila, 21st November. "Penelope" arrived Braila, 23rd November. Thrasyvoulos" arrived Danube, 26th-27th November. (Port not yet known.) Armathia" arrived Braila, 28th November. Nicolaou Georgios" due Danube, 8th December.
67. Commander Marsden

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British shipping companies were willing and anxious to charter more of their vessels for loading grain for the Government at ports in the Danube before the end of November at the rate originally paid for foreign ships; and why preference was given to the latter?

Mr. Cross

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to him on 22nd November, in which it was stated that preference was given to British ships. If he will give me particulars of British ships ready to load in the Danube before the end of November, or in early December, whose owners were willing to charter on conditions similar to those offered for foreign ships, and at rates equal to, or rather more favourable to shipowners than those offered for foreign ships available at the same time, I will look into the matter further.