§ Mr. FOREMANasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the enforced diversion of ships from the Thames to other ports of the United Kingdom for the purpose of discharging their cargo, the Government will pay any part of the railway charges to London which must otherwise fall on the consignees of the cargoes who have had no voice in the movements of the vessels after their arrival in the port of London?
Colonel WILSONI have been asked to reply. It is presumed the diversion refers to the eight ships carrying tea cargoes, which were diverted from London to other ports in accordance with arrangements made in conference with the shipowners and the tea trade interests, whereby the former agreed to bear the cost of diversion of the ship and the latter the cost of diversion of the cargoes.