§ Mr. P. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the number of persons awaiting passage to the West Indies from the United Kingdom and from the West Indies to the United Kingdom, respectively; and what is the average delay in obtaining a sea passage in each case.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsAs the booking of passages to and from the West Indies is in the hands of the shipping companies and agencies, the information asked for is not in the possession of the Government. I am, however, aware that in the course of the next few months a considerable number of people are anxious to travel from the West Indies to the United Kingdom. The delay in obtaining a sea passage depends on the demand, which is seasonal, and on the class of passage required, and I have no information on which to base an estimate of the average delay.