§ Mr. SPENCERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller under what financial arrangements the ex-German ships temporarily handed over to this country are being worked: by which company the "Imperator" is being run: and on what terms?
§ Colonel L. WILSONThe ex-enemy vessels allotted to Great Britain for temporary management since the Armistice have been managed on behalf of the Ministry of Shipping by private firms for the benefit of the Government: the 2181W managers receive a lump sum per annum, according to scale, plus a commission on certain freights, namely, homeward commercial freights. They receive no commission on Government cargoes. For the time being the running expenses of the vessels are met and the earnings received by the Ministry of Shipping. It is, however, impossible to state the final result to the Exchequer until the vessels are allotted to the several Allies for final ownership by the Reparation Commission. With regard to the latter part of the question, the "Imperator" is being managed by the Cunard Company on behalf of the Shipping Controller, but the terms of management have not yet been finally settled.