Mr. PRESTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what was the cost of the railway ferry steamer which has been lying idle at Southampton all the summer months; which Department was responsible for this steamer being built; and, in view of the urgent need of bringing back railway wagons from France, why no use has been made of her?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe cost of the ferry steamer in question was,163,213. The steamer was not built for any Department. but was taken from a service in Canada and used under the War Department. She was originally acquired to work between Southampton and Cherbourg, but has not been utilised on this service since June 1361W last owing to the districts where tins wagons for return to the United Kingdom are situated being so far removed from Cherbourg as to render it practically impossible to ship them through that port. The wagons are all being worked from the North-East of France or from Belgium, viâ Dunkirk, Calais or Dieppe and Richborough. The ferry boat now in question is not identical in build with the ferries on the Richborough service, and cannot operate to or from the terminals used by the Richborough vessels. As there was no other traffic to warrant her retention, she was notified as surplus to requirements and available for disposal on the 24th June last.