§ Captain Gammansasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what are the approximate costs to date for the charter of Norwegian merchant shipping operating under Admiralty instructions; and if such costs are regarded as reverse lend-lease or as a debit to the British Exchequer.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerNo distinction is made between the charter hire of Norwegian Merchant Shipping operated under Admiralty instructions and the charter hire of Norwegian Merchant Shipping operating for the purposes of other Departments of His Majesty's Government. If my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to Norwegian Merchant Shipping used in the recent invasion, these vessels were hired on bare-boat charter in much the same way as British vessels which were similarly employed.