§ 28. Mr. Yatesasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the delay in the case of which details have been submitted to him by the hon. Member for Lady-wood, he will consider the provision of improved machinery for the allocation of sea travel priorities to Australia.
§ Mr. BarnesAs there is insufficient passenger accommodation to provide for everyone who wishes to travel, there must inevitably be many disappointed applicants. We have devised the best machinery we can, with the Australian Government and other Government Departments concerned, to give every application fair consideration. But if my 13 hon. Friend has evidence of any defect in the machinery, I will gladly see that it receives consideration.
§ Mr. YatesMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the information I have already submitted to him concerning the case of a man anxious to visit his daughter, who is dying in Australia, and of the fact that so far representations to the responsible authorities for allocations have brought neither acknowledgment nor reply whether—he will go into the matter with a view to making it possible for these cases to receive consideration?
§ Mr. BarnesYes, Sir. I will certainly give a case of that description consideration. But, as I have explained to the hon. Member, this procedure is settled very clearly with the responsible Dominion authorities and I am not empowered to go outside that settlement.