Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the ss. "Deventia," owned by Messrs. Richard Williams and Son, was recently chartered to take a cargo of coal from South Wales to Liverpool for the purpose of bunkering under the Mersey bunkering scheme, and that subsequently the owners of the steamer were directed by the Ministry of Shipping to load for Southampton for Admiralty purposes; that after keeping the steamer lying in Cardiff five days she was released, and the ss. "Arleia," of the same ownership, was directed to load for Fowey, although she had also previously been chartered to load a cargo of coal from South Wales to Liverpool for bunkering purposes; and, seeing that this action in directing steamers is typical of what has been going on between the Coal Control and the Ministry of Shipping for some time, and that it is responsible for many liners and other steamers being held up in the Mersey for want of coal, will he take steps to secure the avoidance of such occurrences in future?
Colonel WILSONI have been asked to reply to this question. I am afraid that my hon. and gallant Friend is not in possession of the full facts of the case. The delay to the steamship "Deventia" was due to the action of the owner in declining to carry out the direction given by the Ministry of Shipping in respect of both the ships mentioned in the question.