§ Mr. Kingasked the Minister of Transport how many ships sailed to North America in ballast during the month of November, 1945; what price per ton was paid for ballast and what price was charged to British china clay exporters; 117W what effect this charge has upon the dollar earning capacity of the china clay trade; and why he sends to North America ships in ballast at high cost and at the same time charges to the china clay exporters a rate which threatens the continuance of the North American china clay trade.
§ Mr. BarnesThe number of ships which left for North America in November, 1945, was 132. The cost of ballast varied from a normal of about 6s. 6d. a ton to 15s. in exceptional cases. The rate of freight for china clay is not fixed by my Department, but is negotiated between the shippers and shipowners. I appreciate the importance of an economic rate of freight for the china clay trade, and am glad to see that a ship has recently been chartered for the business at 20S. per ton, which rate is, I understand, regarded as satisfactory by the exporters. My hon. Friend no doubt realises that the cargo is not one which is loaded or discharged very rapidly.