§ Mr. BYRNEasked the President of the Board of Trade how and to whom the captured enemy ships have been allotted; if he will consider the advisability of allotting some of the tonnage to the Irish coal trade; if he is aware that a number of Irish ships were commandeered by the military for work of national importance; and if he is aware that the allotting of some of the captured German ships to Ireland to take the place of those commandeered by the military would reduce the price of coal, which has already reached famine prices?
Mr. HARCOURTThe captured and interned enemy ships are employed in the services all over the world where it is considered they are most needed, and are not allotted to individuals. Some of them have occasionally been employed in carrying coal to Ireland, and if necessary would be again so employed, but it is of course not possible to give specially low rates for any particular voyages.