HC Deb 05 March 1951 vol 485 cc16-8
13. Captain Ryder

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangement exists for co-ordinating the demands for shipping by the various Government Departments; and what advice he is giving to avoid further dislocation in the world freight market.

Mr. Barnes

The policy of the importing Departments in chartering ships is to make the fullest use of the normal market facilities of the Baltic Exchange. I maintain close contact both with the importing Departments and with the Baltic Exchange and I am confident that every effort is being made by all concerned to avoid unnecessary competition and dislocation of the freight market.

Captain Ryder

In view of the enormous demands made by Government Departments on shipping space and the apparently unpredictable nature of His Majesty's Government in nautical matters, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that he has got the situation in hand?

Mr. Barnes

I would point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that it is not only British demands that have affected the freight market. I suppose he knows that there is something going on in Korea and in many other directions with regard to large bulk buying, not only here, but from abroad, which has had an effect on the freight markets.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken the trouble to read the report of the Chamber of Shipping, which lays the blame frankly on the shoulders of the Government and says that such action on the part of private ship-owners and others would be regarded as inconceivable?

Mr. Barnes

I am certainly familiar with that report, and I emphasise the reply I gave to the supplementary question, that it is not entirely the demands from this coutnry, but a general demand, which have hardened freights throughout the world.

Mr. Maclay

Will the Minister state whether, at the time the Ministry of Fuel and Power made the heavy demands on tonnage in order to import coal, the Ministry of Transport had any knowledge of the import programmes sponsored by the Ministry of Supply's Timber Control and the Ministry of Food?

Mr. Barnes

Yes, certainly. We were generally aware of the programmes of that kind, but no one can help the impact of any large import programme on the freight market of the world. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the hardening of the market commenced before that time.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

Although it may not be possible to co-ordinate world-wide demands, is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to do something to prevent the unseemly scramble between the Ministry of Food and the National Coal Board?

Mr. Barnes

I do not agree that there was an unseemly scramble, and while I am denying the implications of these questions, I would, on the other hand, like publicly to acknowledge the assistance I have received from the British shipping industry. It has helped considerably to keep the rising freight markets of the world under some form of control.

Mr. Lloyd

In return, might not the Government Departments do something to help the shipping industry?

Mr. Barnes

We have done that repeatedly. I resist the implication that we have been inconsiderate towards the shipping industry of this country.

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