Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade if the steamers "Anglesea," "Mull," "Tokofuka Maru," "Baluchistan," and "Queenmore," occupied sixty-two, forty-seven, fifty-nine, forty-nine, and fifty-three days to discharge their cargoes; whether in each case such period represents about five times as long as with normal facilities was necessary for this operation; whether large numbers of ships arc suffering similar delays; and, if so, what steps are being taken to prevent this waste?
Colonel WILSONI have been asked to reply. The vessels referred to were discharged at Hull. They were at the port for about the times stated, but these times include also that occupied in bunkering and loading ballast and in one instance include the period when the vessel sailed for Rotterdam and returned owing to bad weather. The period in question included a local dockers' strike from 15th to 17th September, and the railway strike from 26th September to 6th October. Bad weather prevailed during practically the whole period except during the railway strike. There is also a considerable scarcity of lighters and river craft and dock labour is short by about fifteen per cent. The general question of the congestion of the ports is 1833W receiving the constant consideration of the Port and Transit Executive Committee and every effort is being made, as by the emergency motor lorry scheme, the provision of additional lighters and river craft etc., to improve matters.