HC Deb 09 April 1940 vol 359 c443
11. Mr. James Hall

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is in a position to make a statement on the arrangements that have been made between the British and French Governments for the control of Allied shipping?

Mr. R. S. Hudson

The machinery which has been set up for the co-ordination of the economic war efforts of this country and France includes an Anglo-French Permanent Executive Committee for Shipping. Its function is to provide for the allocation of the tonnage at the disposal of the Allies (including any neutral tonnage) to secure that the agreed import programmes are carried out. This Committee has been in operation since the beginning of December last.

Mr. Hall

Are we to understand that the Mercantile Marines of the two countries will be brought under unified control?

Mr. Hudson

As far as it is a question of agreement on how they can be worked in order to assure an agreed Allied import programme, the answer is "Yes."