HC Deb 23 October 1946 vol 427 c1647
27. Mr. Douglas Marshall

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty under what permission, Admiralty instruction or rule, H.M.S. "Frobisher" was not allowed to convey 50 tons of sugar from Trinidad to Portsmouth when at that time sugar cane was rotting for lack of shipping.

Mr. Dugdale

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension; this was not due to any Admiralty rule or instruction. The offer by H.M.S. "Frobisher" to carry 50 tons of sugar to Portsmouth was notified to the Ministry of Food, by whom all imports and allocations of food are controlled, but was not accepted by that Department, as complete arrangements had already been made for shipment of all Trinidad sugar available for export direct to ports with refineries. H.M.S. "Frobisher" was informed accordingly.

Mr. Marshall

Is the Minister aware that I put that Question to the Ministry of Food on 29th May and that in reply they gave me an assurance that in no circumstances had they forbidden permission for H.M.S. "Frobisher" to carry this cargo?

Mr. Dugdale

I did not say that they had forbidden it; I said that other arrangements had been made.