§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Transport why the 15,000-ton s.s. "Carthage," which arrived at Singapore on 11th October, had empty passenger and cargo accommodation; and, in view of the fact that merchants in Britain have waited for months for cargo space to Singapore, if he will have inquiries made into the details which have been sent to him.
§ Mr. BarnesDuring September when the troopship "Carthage" sailed from this country there were other outward sailings to Singapore which provided an adequate lift for passengers for that destination. The "Carthage" was therefore used to clear outstanding Service and civilian passengers for Malta and Port Said. As regards cargo there has been considerable congestion in Singapore owing to the port being unable to handle expeditiously the quantity of cargo which had been shipped. The amount of cargo which the "Carthage" can carry in her present fitted condition is small and at the time there was sufficient commercial tonnage offering to cover the amount of United Kingdom cargo which it had been agreed could be accepted in Malaya.