§ 32. Sir H. Webbeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Emergency Powers (Defence) Merchant Ships (Passive Defence) Order (S.R. & O., No. 1412, of 1943), signed on 23rd September, and which came into operation forthwith, was not received by an hon. Member from the Vote Office till 4th October; and on what date it was delivered to ships' masters affected?
Mr. AlexanderThis Order, issued at the request of my right hon. Friend the Minister of War Transport, replaces a similar Order issued in 1941, and provides for an increased scale of equipment in merchant ships for passive defence purposes. The Order was published by my Department in Statutory Rules and Orders and in the London Gazette but is administered by my right hon. Friend. I am informed that it is not intended to deliver copies to ships' masters; their attention will be drawn to the Order by the principal officers and surveyors of the Ministry as opportunity offers. I should add that reasonable time is always given to the master of a merchant ship to enable him to comply with the terms of any Order affecting him.
§ Sir H. WebbeWas any prior notification given to ships' masters that this Order would become effective on 23rd September? If not, has the necessity for extending this Order led to the holding up of the sailing of any ships?
Mr. AlexanderIt has not led to the holding up of any sailings. The administration of the Order is the responsibility of my Noble Lord the Minister War Transport. The Statute Law Committee made a Statutory Rule and Order, but no step has been taken against anyone in the interim period.