§ Mr. GRANTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if the German ships which were interned at Valparaiso were insured when they were handed over to Great Britain?
§ Colonel L. WILSONThe vessels referred to have not yet been delivered by Germany to British management.
§ Mr. GRANTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if definite proposals were submitted to the Ministry some five months ago, which could have become operative seven weeks ago, for the repair and refitting of the German ships interned in South American waters; if no decision has so far been come to in the matter; and, if so, can he give the reason?
§ Colonel WILSONProposals relating to the German ships in South American waters were submitted to the Shipping Controller some time ago, but as I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn on the 1st July, the responsibility for bringing these vessels into employment under the Armistice arrangement rested with the United States Government. Since the transfer of this648W responsibility to the British Government, active steps have been taken to ascertain what arrangements are necessary to bring the ships into service, but it will be many months before the bulk of them are ready.