§ 18. Mr. C. Howellasked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of delay is experienced in finding shipping space for exports to Mombasa; and what steps he is now taking to assist exporters in that direction.
§ Mr. LowAbout twelve months for ordinary commercial cargo; goods classified as essential by the East African authorities can be shipped without delay. The remedy for the present difficulties lies in the expansion of the port and railway facilities at Mombasa and I am glad to say there has been some improvement in recent months.
§ Mr. HowellWill the Minister have another look at the matter? I have a letter from a member of his own political party, the manager of a well-known firm in the Midlands, who states that he has a number of orders awaiting shipment, and says:
As these orders are mainly for the Mombasa market it would be very interesting to know for what reason nearly two years …Not one year.… elapses before goods can be shipped owing to lack of space, which is the answer always given by the shippers.In view of the discrepancy between the period of one year mentioned by the Minister and the period of two years mentioned by that person, would the Minister have another look at the matter?
§ Mr. LowI am constantly having a look at this matter, which is obviously of great importance to our trade, but the hon. Member will find—so will his friend—that the delay has shortened this year from 16 months in January to about 12 months now.