§ 77. Sir A. Southbyasked the Minister of Shipping whether he is considering the representations recently made to him by the shipping industry; and whether he is prepared to leave owners of requisitioned steamers to run their vessels, at the same time instructing them in what trades they are to engage and that they are to use the brokers to charter the steamers of the Government pool concerned at the rate fixed by the Ministry of Shipping, as this suggestion would materially reduce the staff required at the Ministry while giving occupation to the office staffs of owners and brokers, thereby keeping the entire shipping industry in being?
§ Sir J. GilmourRequisitioned ships are managed by their owners under my direction as to the voyages they are to undertake. As regards chartering, outward business is fixed through brokers 1817 on the market, but homeward cargoes are on Government account and no question of chartering through the market arises. The employment of brokers for homeward cargoes would not save any staff, it would simply pass the transaction through further hands,