§ 23. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of War Transport why British cargo ships have been allowed to sail to South Africa in ballast, as in the case of the H.T. "Antenor," particulars of which have been sent to him, when quantities of exports cannot be delivered owing to lack of cargo space; and what steps he is taking to prevent a similar waste of cargo space.
§ Mr. BarnesI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Chertsey (Captain Marsden). There is no general shortage of shipping space for export cargo to South Africa and no useful purpose would therefore have been served by delaying the "Antenor," a troop transport, in order to load cargo.