§ 20. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the details, which have been sent to him, about the delay in shipping owing to the centralisation of control; and if he will make a statement.
§ 33. Sir Patrick Hannonasked the Minister of Transport the circumstances in which two ships, "Samtrent" and "Savigna," were bought from the U.S. Government for the conveyance of Pearl Harbour coal dust for Singapore, and 8,000 tons of this article were consigned there; as it was found on arrival that the coal dust was not required and was re-consigned to Batavia, if he will say whether the cargoes are still afloat; and what will be the cost of this transaction to the British taxpayer.
§ Mr. BarnesThere was serious congestion during the summer at Singapore, with consequent delay in the discharge of vessels. The handling capacity of the port, owing to labour difficulties and to war damage to the storage and clearance facilities, proved inadequate for the large amounts of military and commercial cargo entering the port for the rehabilitation of the area. Energetic measures were taken to relieve the congestion, by improving the clearance facilities and by restricting imports to the most essential cargoes. I am informed that the congestion of cargo on the wharves has been considerably reduced. Further improvement is expected from the rebuilding of transit 600 sheds. As regards the two vessels carrying coal to Singapore, these were chartered from the U.S. Government. The coal was purchased and shipped by the military authorities for civilian use in Malaya. On arrival at Singapore the coal was found to differ considerably from the original specification and was rejected by the local authorities as unsuitable. The Special Commissioner was pressed to dispose of this coal elsewhere in order to free the ships, and, after considerable difficulty, the greater part was sold to Batavia, where the two vessels have now discharged, the balance of the coal having been discharged at Singapore. The cost of the delay to the two ships is approximately £30,000.
§ Sir P. HannonDo I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that these ships were chartered to carry coal dust, and that it was not really coal which went over the ocean at the expense of the British taxpayer? What has happened to these two ships, and where is the coal dust now?
§ Mr. BarnesI have stated the facts to the hon. Member. My position is to provide the shipping. If the hon. Member wants further information, he must put his questions elsewhere.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer is a complete travesty? Is he aware that the serious delay in shipping at Singapore is due to centralised control, that ships are arriving with empty cargo space and that pilferage of British goods at the expense of the British taxpayer is very serious? Will the right hon. Gentleman have further inquiries made, because it is stopping the vital export trade of this country?
§ Mr. BarnesAs I explained to the hon. Member, the difficulties arise directly from the war, and steps were taken immediately to improve the discharge of cargoes.
§ Sir P. HannonI do not want to embarrass the Minister, but will he give the House of Commons an undertaking that transactions of this kind, which indicate imbecility in the Administration, will not occur?