§ Captain REDMONDasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 57W whether the best steamers hitherto used by the Government in the Persian Gulf and the River Tigris have been sold by private negotiations, to the exclusion of many traders who were awaiting the opportunity of bidding for them at a public auction; whether he will disclose the names of the group who purchased the steamers from the Government; and what steps he will take to ensure a fair competitive basis for obtaining transport facilities in the area described?
§ Mr. FISHERThe general arrangements for the sale of the surplus Mesopotamian shipping are in the hands of the Ministry of Munitions, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 23rd February to the hon. and gallant Member for Clackmannan. I understand that no vessels have as yet been sold and that the actual method of sale will be by sealed tender.