§ 12. Sir D. Thomsonasked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the nationality of the ships which have discharged in this country during 1939 full cargoes of Argentine grain bought by the Government?
§ Mr. StanleyAll such cargoes purchased in the Argentine on behalf of His Majesty's Government have been carried in British ships. Certain cargoes purchased afloat were in foreign ships; the latter were on the Belgian, Greek, Latvian, Rumanian and German Registers.
§ Sir D. ThomsonWill my right hon. Friend give instructions to try if possible to purchase cargoes a float in British ships in order to give encouragement to charter British ships now and in the future?
§ Mr. StanleyEvery attempt is being made to do that. My hon. Friend will realise that in purchasing cargoes afloat, it is very difficult to confine them to British ships.