HC Deb 15 February 1938 vol 331 cc1720-1W
Sir A. Wilson

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamship "Endymion" cleared with cargo from Newport with instructions to obtain further orders from Gibraltar; whether he will ascertain by inspection how the cargo is described in the books of the Mid-Atlantic Shipping Company to which the "Endymion" belongs; whether the company's books show the cargo to have been insured and, if so, by whom; under what description and to and by whom the "Endymion" was on charter; and to whom the cargo was consigned?

Mr. Stanley

According to the Customs records at Newport, the steamship "Endymion" sailed from that port on 13th January last for Cartagena with a cargo of 921 tons of coke. The vessel was not owned by the Mid-Atlantic Shipping Company, Limited, but was chartered by that company, as agents for the Spanish Government, from the owners (Mr. A. C. Verano and Mr. F. E. Verano, of Gibraltar). The charter provided for the carriage of a cargo of coke from Newport to "Almeria-Barcelona Range one port only as ordered on or off Gibraltar." While the Board of Trade have no power to inspect the company's books or documents, the company have placed them at my disposal and I have been able to ascertain from inspection that the entries therein relate only to a cargo of 921 tons of coke. The cargo, which was not insured, was consigned to Messrs. Campsa Gentibus.

Sir A. Wilson

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the officers or crew of the steamship "Endymion" were British-born subjects; and whether the manning of the ship was in conformity with the Aliens Restriction Act, 1919, and the Merchant Shipping Acts?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, Sir, the master, mate and first and second engineers were British-born subjects. The vessel accordingly complied with the provisions of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, relating to the carriage of British officers, though this Act did not apply to her, as she was registered at Gibraltar and not in the United Kingdom. When the vessel sailed from Newport on 12th January, the manning requirements of the Merchant Shipping Acts were complied with.