§ Mr. Warbeyasked the Minister of Transport what is the method of allocating berths to persons whose names have been on sea-passage waiting lists for a long period and who have good reasons on health or business grounds for travelling, but whose case is not considered strong enough for acceptance by the Sea Passage Priority Board.
§ Mr. Barnes:The demand for passages on most routes is so heavy that only persons travelling in the national interest, or having urgent need to travel for compassionate reasons, can be allotted berths. Business men must be sponsored by the Government Department most closely concerned with their business. Compassionate cases are dealt with by a special subcommittee of the Sea Passage Priority Board. Persons to whom priority passages are refused should maintain their registration with a shipping company in case an unexpected opportunity to sail should arise.