§ Sir J. Leechasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the volume of traffic crowding the Thames and the Mersey, he will, as a matter of precaution for war-time, begin now to make it part of the national policy to encourage mercantile shipping gradually to spread itself out among other and smaller ports?
§ Mr. CrossMy right hon. Friend does not consider it necessary or desirable to take action in peace to divert merchant shipping from its normal channels.