§ 110. Sir J. Lucasasked the Minister of Transport how many berths were vacant on the last voyage of the ss. "Otranto" to the Far East; by which Department they were reserved; and if he will give the reasons for any consequent waste of shipping space.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussThe "Otranto" is a military transport, which was programmed at short notice to proceed to Singapore to augment the troop lift at the disposal of Supreme Allied Commander, South-East Asia. The total number of berths available for civilian passengers on the outward voyage was 410 of which 54 were unoccupied when the ship sailed. Thirty of these were unoccupied because of the failure to embark of persons who had accepted passages offered to them by the Departments concerned, principally the Colonial Office. The civilian berths available wore primarily at the disposal of the Colonial Office and Foreign Office, but in view 01 the uncertainty which prevailed until a late date regarding onward passage from Singapore, it was necessary to reduce the allotment to the latter Department which was principally concerned with passengers proceeding to China. Last minute efforts by the Colonial Office and the shipping company did not succeed in filling all the berths so made available.