§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller how many ships are at present employed in bringing back Army stores and salvage from France and the tonnage of these ships; and whether he will arrange for a conference with the Minister for Food, leading grain importers, and shipowners with a view to the suspension of these ships' employment at their present task that they may be sent to the Black Sea with merchandise, whereof the populations in these parts are in urgent need, and freighted on the return journey with grain with which the granaries of the Black Sea ports are overloaded?
Colonel WILSONThere are only three ships employed by the Shipping Controller in bringing Army stores and salvage from France, but the question of ships is not in any sense a deciding factor with regard to procuring grain from the Black Sea. The requisite tonnage will be arranged for as soon as the grain can, in fact, be bought and shipped, and on this matter I can only refer my hon. Friend to the Ministry of Food. I am informed by the Wheat Commission that the position in the Black Sea ports is being carefully watched, and every opportunity will be taken of exporting such grain as may not be locally required.