§ 128. Mr. Nuttingasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the numbers of British business men and their wives who are awaiting passages to the Far East and of the importance of re-establishing British mercantile communities in that part of the world as soon as possible, what steps he is taking to increase the present provision of passages for these men and their wives; and whether he will take steps to see that business men get first priority and their wives priority over others who are not travelling on duty.
§ Mr. BarnesIt is not possible, with the limited passenger tonnage now at my disposal to provide a service which will fully meet all present demands to the Far East, but a very considerable flow is being maintained outwards to Malaya, and over 300 civilians for Hong Kong and Shanghai are sailing in a troopship this week. A very high priority is accorded to business men proceeding abroad in the interest of the British export trade, but while the present shortage of passenger space persists, their wives and families must continue to receive a lower priority.