§ 27. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the shortage of bunkers; that this shortage is delaying the turn-round of vessels in United Kingdom ports; and whether he will take immediate action to rectify this matter.
§ Mr. GaitskellAlthough shipments for foreign bunkers at United Kingdom ports and for coaling stations abroad have been about 20,000 tons more this year than in the corresponding period of last year, I understand there have been a few cases of delay due to a number of vessels requiring bunkers at the same time. The National Coal Board are doing everything possible to overcome these difficulties.