HC Deb 28 February 1940 vol 357 c2049
25. Mr. Lipson

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is a great loss of effective tonnage owing to slow convoys; and will he endeavour to minimise this by arranging that, so far as is practicable, ships capable of a faster speed are not hampered by the presence in the convoy of less quickly moving vessels?

Mr. Shakespeare

Yes, Sir. The Admiralty is well aware of this, which is an inherent disadvantage of any convoy system. To lessen the loss so far as possible, additional fast convoys were instituted at an early stage wherever practicable, and this policy will be continued.