§ Mr. STEWARTasked whether the Indian Government are using a number of detained German steamers in commercial trading and, at the same time, requisitioning in India for Government service cargo liners usually employed in the trade between India and this country, thereby causing delay to cargo and increased charges to merchants, who have to rearrange their freight engagements which result in an increased cost of goods to the consumers in this country; and whether the Indian Government can see its way to use detained steamers for Government work and allow cargo liners as far as possible to do their usual business?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSThe Secretary of State is without precise information on the matter, but understands that the Indian Government has on occasions used detained enemy ships for military work and on other occasions has allowed them to be chartered for the conveyance of Indian merchandise to this country. In thus disposing of the vessels the Indian Government would seem to have been guided partly by the relative urgency at the moment of military requirements and of the requirements of Indian commerce—partly by the greater suitability of a vessel for one purpose than for the other. Some of these ships may in the near future be used for the carriage of Indian wheat under the Indian Government purchase scheme.