HC Deb 21 March 1947 vol 435 cc124-5W
Sir B. Neven-Spence

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the difficult transport conditions and shortage of accommodation at Singapore, arrangements can be made for the large number of planters and others proceeding to Northern Malaya in the s.s. "Alcantara" to be disembarked at Penang instead of the former port.

Mr. Barnes

Passengers for Malaya in the troopship "Alcantara" were booked by a shipping company in the normal way. If 50 or more passengers express a wish to disembark at Penang, it is customary for a call to be made at that port. In this particular case, no requests were made before sailing, either to my Department or to the shipping company, for disembarkation at Penang. In reply to my inquiry the ship has now reported by wireless that 115 passengers wish to land at Penang and a call will accordingly be made.