§ Mr. J. BROWNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the effect on prices of the limited quantity of merchant shipping now available, he will appoint a representative committee to consider the question of using naval tonnage to relieve the existing shortage of freight space?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am afraid that naval ships that are not in the post-war fleet would in nearly every case require a considerable outlay for refit and alteration before being able to undertake such work, and when employed would be very extravagant in fuel and personnel. There are a large number of ships on the Disposal and Sale List, any of which it is open to a commercial firm to buy should they consider it a profitable speculation.