§ 17. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Transport how much shipping is on demand to bring food supplies from South American ports to Britain; and if he will expedite the necessary arrangements.
§ Mr. BarnesThe amount of shipping required to bring food supplies from South American ports to the United Kingdom fluctuates from month to month according to the availability of foodstuffs. Foodstuffs currently available for shipment are fully covered by shipping allocations.
§ Sir W. SmithersArising out of that evasive answer, is the Minister aware that there is a serious delay in turn-round and in shipping coming from South American ports, and that I am authoritatively informed that this is due to the deficient arrangements made by the Ministry of Transpot?
§ Mr. BarnesI am quite aware that from time to time there are port difficulties, arising in the vast majority of cases from circumstances in those ports outside our control. I have here all the details which show that my answer was not an evasive one. If the hon. Gentleman desires to have more detailed information, he can always have it.