HC Deb 22 November 1938 vol 341 cc1520-1
24. Commander Marsden

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that of 18 fixtures of ships to carry grain from the Danube for Government food stocks 14 were foreign and only four British; and, as a large number of foreign-going tramp ships are laid up in the United Kingdom, he will take steps to ensure that as far as possible in future all Government purchases of foodstuffs abroad should be brought to this country in British ships?

Mr. Stanley

The contract for the purchase of this wheat was completed towards the end of October. It provided for approximately twice as much wheat to be shipped from the Danube as from the Black Sea. For the Danube shipments, although directions were given that British ships were to be employed as far as possible and that a preferential rate could be given, it was necessary in the initial stages to obtain options on a certain amount of foreign tonnage immediately available, since ships had to be obtained before the Danube navigation risks became too great on account of ice. Between 20 and 30 British owners, including owners of ships known to be laid up, were approached, but they either had no suitable ships in position or were not anxious to charter them for the Danube trade. It was, therefore, necessary to exercise the options on the foreign tonnage, and also to charter some additional foreign tonnage. After the most urgent requirements were covered, chartering was confined to British ships. As regards the Black Sea requirements, where the same considerations of urgency do not apply, no foreign ships have yet been chartered, and British ships will, it is hoped, be able to carry the whole of our requirements. As regards the second part of the question, it is the rule that only in exceptional conditions are ships other than British to be used for carrying Government cargoes.

Commander Marsden

Is it to be clearly understood that it is not the small difference of freight which prohibits the chartering of British vessels?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, as I say, instructions were given that preferential rates should be given to British ships.

Mr. Benjamin Smith

If and when shipowners come to the Government for any further assistance, will the right hon. Gentleman take notice that they have, in fact, refused to carry cargoes?

Mr. Stanley

I do not think that is a fair way of putting it. This, after all, was a special transaction and the chartering would have been for one voyage only, and in these circumstances it may very well not have been economically possible for the shipowner to recommission a ship simply for that one purpose.

Mr. R. Gibson

What was the nationality of the non-British ships that were chartered?

Mr. Stanley

I cannot say without notice, but several of them, I know, were Greek.

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