§ Sir J. WALTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to increase the carrying power of our mercantile marine, he will consider the possibility of supplementing civilian labour at our docks by military assistance to ensure the more rapid loading and discharging of vessels; whether he will endeavour to arrange with our Allies for more rapid discharge at Allied ports; and whether the practice of sending steamers to congested ports at Home and abroad will be discontinued?
Mr. RUNCIMANMilitary assistance is already provided in cases, where the supply of civilian labour at the port is inadequate by the Transport Workers Battalion, which was formed by the War Office about six months ago. A special Dockers Battalion is also in existence at Liverpool. The Governments of our Allies are fully alive to the importance of a rapid flow of traffic through their ports, and they assure me that they are doing everything in their power to maintain it. I think the interests of the parties concerned tend to prevent vessels being sent to congested ports, unless the nature and destination of the cargo makes it necessary that it should be loaded or discharged at a particular port, and wherever possible the Ship Licensing Committee is withholding licences for voyages to congested ports.