Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that every wharf and store, including the Port of London Authority and alt their warehouses, are absolutely full right up, and that the position is so serious that it requires instant investigation and if he will take action in the matter'?
§ Colonel LESLIE WILSONI have, been asked to answer this question. The abnormal state of congestion in the Port of London is fully realised by the Departments concerned, and such action as is. practicable is being taken.
Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that the "City of Newcastle" was diverted from London to Newport. Monmouth, in consequence of not being able to obtain a berth; that the "Devona," which was bound for London, has been diverted to Southampton for the same cause; that the "Lake Grama," which carries a considerable quantity of bacon, arrived at the Thames in the early part of July, and up to Monday agents were unable to get a discharging berth; and will he take steps to improve these conditions; (2) if the ss. "Alua" was discharged at the cutting at Victoria Docks, which had no facilities whatever for handling perishable cargo; if the conditions on the out-turn were very bad, and in order to save a total loss permission, was obtained to have these goods railed to Liverpool; if when they arrived at the Popper Dock, Liverpool, more delay was incurred as no wagons could be obtained until the third day, although at that time private owners' wagons were standing idle and were going back empty; and will he take steps to improve these conditions; (3) if he is a/ware of the extraordinary congestion and delay now prevailing at all the docks in London; if he is aware that the ss. "Independence" arrived on 11th June and, as no berth was available, she had to be taken back and left at the month of the Thames until 19th June; if he is-aware that the bacon on board, owing to further delay through craft not being available, took exactly one month, from 11th June to 11th July, before it was actually landed at New Hibernia Wharf; and if he will take steps to improve this-state of things?
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§ Colonel WILSONI have been asked to reply to these questions. The facts with regard to the ships named are substantially as stated. The "Lake Grama," however, has now been berthed. The whole question of congestion at the ports is receiving the earnest consideration of His Majesty's Government, and every possible step is being taken to relieve the situation.