§ Mr. WALTER ROCHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether the Transport Department of the Admiralty .are still requisitioning British steamers at Blue Book rates to carry oats from North .and South American ports to Italy; and if he will state the total number of steamers so requisitioned to carry oats to Italy up to the present date; (2) whether the Ministry of Munitions instructs the Transport Department of the Admiralty to requisition British ships for the conveyance of nitrate to this country; whether the Ministry of Munitions gives specific instructions to the Director of Transports to send steamers so requisitioned out in ballast to Chilian nitrate ports; when such instructions are received by the Director of Transports, whether he is instructed by the Ministry of Munitions as to what class of vessel shall be employed or whether this is left in the discretion of the Director of Transports; and (3) whether the Foreign Office or the War Office instruct the Transport Department. of the Admiralty to requisition British ships at Blue Book rates for the purpose of carrying cheap oats to Italy?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAGenerally, the responsibility for action taken by the Transport Department in regard to the conveyance of supplies not directly for the Naval and Military Departments rests with His Majesty's Government, and the Transport Department, in dealing with the orders of the Government. requisitions tonnage after consulting its expert shipping advisers. The Transport Department is still requisitioning steamers at Blue Book rates under an arrangement made between His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government to carry oats to Italy. Twenty-five steamers have been requisitioned up to date for that purpose. As regards the conveyance of nitrate, the Admiralty requisitions the necessary tonnage to carry out this service upon the request of the Ministry of Munitions. The class of vessel to be employed is decided by the Admiralty, and is usually the type .of boat ordinarily employed in the trade.