§ Mr. MILLARasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the use of tonnage for the importation and exportation of rum and potable spirits is at present being sanctioned by the Shipping Controller; and whether he can state the number of ships which were required to carry the 4,500,000-gallons of spirits exported during the nine months ending 30th September?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe importation of potable spirit is prohibited, subject to Board of Trade licence, and no arrangements have been made to provide space for this commodity, although no objection would be raised to the shipment of any consignment duly licensed by the Board of Trade if space not required for essential commodities or Government stores happened to be available. Outward shipments are not controlled by the Ministry of Shipping since, broadly speaking, there is no shortage of tonnage for outward trade.