§ Commander Nobleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what negotiations are taking place with regard to the transfer of an aircraft carrier to the Netherlands Government.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe Escort Carrier "Karel Doorman" (formerly H.M.S. "Nairaha") has been on loan to the Dutch Government since early in 1946. The term of this loan expires next year, and, in accordance with the agreed conditions of the loan, it is intended to
— Glasgow/Castlebay. Glasgow/Stornoway. Glasgow/Belfast. Glasgow/Sydney Coal per ton 33/- (small ship rate 100–180 ton cargoes) per ton 23/- (300 ton cargoes) per ton 8/- (500 ton cargoes) per ton (65/-) Bricks 64/2 52/6 33/9 120/- Timber 70/- 52/6 51/3 (110/-) Cement 36/8 33/4 41/2 (60/-) General Merchandise (for items not specified in the tariff) — — — 200/- These charges are in no way comparable owing to the different types and sizes of vessels engaged and the different conditions in each trade. Coal, timber and cement have not in recent years been shipped from Glasgow to Sydney. There are no flat rates from Glasgow to Castlebay, Stornoway or Belfast for general merchandise which is charged according to the commodity carried.
The freight charges to the Highlands and Islands are already kept below the economic level by means of Exchequer payments to the shipping company concerned, and I am unable to reduce them further.