§ 54. Commander Marsdenasked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the placing of a contract in connection with the preparation of the ground and approaches to the new Royal Air Force air-field at Lossiemouth, which involved the conveyance of cement pipes from Poole to Lossiemouth, he is aware that such pipes were carried in three Dutch ships, the "Globe," "Eban," and "Hebe Nobel"; and can he assure the House that he will cause instructions to be given to his contracts department to provide that only British ships shall be employed in future coastwise transit?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Captain Austin Hudson)Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has made it a condition of any contract to which he is a party that any materials or plant which are delivered by water-borne transport must, wherever possible, be carried in British vessels.
§ Commander MarsdenWhen my hon. Friend answers "yes," do I understand that to be in reply to the first part of the question, as to whether the pipes were carried in Dutch ships?
§ Captain HudsonYes, Sir. The facts in this question are accurate. I am speaking of what we are doing for the future.
§ Mr. JohnstonWhy did these pipes have to be transported the long distance from Poole to Lossiemouth?
§ Captain HudsonI cannot say without notice.