§ 2. Captain Marsdenasked the Minister of Transport what house flag is flown and what are the funnel markings of shipping acquired by His Majesty's Government under the Nationalisation of Railways Act.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Barnes)The hon. Member presumably has in mind the ships which, by virtue of the Transport Act, 1947, became the property of the British Transport Commission. The house flag to be flown by these vessels and their funnel markings are matters for the Commission, and I am bringing the hon. Member's Question to their attention.
§ Captain MarsdenAre we really going to start this all over again? Will the Minister advise the Commission to have some cheerful, bright flag and funnel markings worthy of the ships which they will adorn?
§ Mr. BarnesThe Commission take notice of hon. Members' comments on these matters, but this is not quite a question on which I can instruct them.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the house flag will not be the Hammer and Sickle?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterOr the Jolly Roger.
Vice-Admiral TaylorAre not the Government sufficiently proud of the ships which have been nationalised for them to fly a house flag? Will the right hon. Gentleman instruct the Transport Commission in this matter?
§ Sir Wavell WakefieldAre we to understand that so far no house flag has yet been thought of or designed?
§ Mr. BarnesI do not think the hon. Gentleman is entitled to assume anything of the kind.
§ Sir W. WakefieldI have not assumed anything.