HC Deb 15 July 1920 vol 131 cc2625-6W
Mr. L. LYLE

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Shipping the result of the conference at the Ministry, on 14th July, of all interests affected by the congestion in the Port of London; whether ships are still being diverted from the Thames to other parts of the country; and whether he is aware that in most cases the cargoes there landed still remain untouched?

Colonel L. WILSON

The conference held on 14th July dealt only with the importation of tea, and it was agreed that the interests concerned would confer together with a view to obviating possible congestion in the autumn. One vessel bound for London with a wool cargo has been diverted by arrangement with the Ministry of Munitions to Liverpool in view of the large arrivals of wool to be dealt with in London shortly. It is the case that some cargoes of tea which were diverted to our ports some months ago still remain at those ports untouched owing to the very large stocks that are held in London.