Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware 772W that the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, which has a monopoly of the storage of raw tobacco in Liverpool, is regularly receiving consignments of United States growth, but is refusing to provide accommodation for Nyasaland tobacco of Empire origin; that the only line of steamers serving Nyasaland comes to the Port of London, in which the warehouse accommodation is completely exhausted and great congestion prevails; that under the circumstances consignments of Nyasaland tobacco on arrival have to be removed to other ports, which have less storage accommodation available than Liverpool; and will he take such steps as will make Liverpool available for the receipt of Nyasaland tobacco?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am communicating with the Port of London Authority, and will inform the hon. Member of the result. It appears, from a letter from the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, of which the hon. Member has had a copy, that it has been necessary to restrict the normal importation of tobacco into Liverpool, and the Board of Trade are not prepared to press them to make exceptional arrangements in this case.