HC Deb 24 October 1949 vol 468 cc98-9W
Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Food how many ships are to be hired by his Department for use as grain stores; for how many ships hired by his Department the discharge of grain has been slowed down; and what this decision will cost in demurrage fees.

Mr. Strachey

I do not anticipate that my Ministry will hire more vessels for storage of grain than the three now under contract. These are the "Doris Clunies," the "Passat" and the "Pamir." The first required extensive repair and alteration on arrival in the United Kingdom and my Ministry took the opportunity to hire her as a store for the duration of the repairs, until the end of November. The other two ships are both sailing vessels which, I understand, are to be laid up or used for purposes other than the carriage of freight. In these circumstances, my Ministry has secured additional storage space without reducing available seaworthy freight. The cost of hiring the vessels is less than the cost which would have been incurred in storing this grain on land.

With regard to the second part of the Question, vessels under charter to my Ministry may incur demurrage due to conditions at the port of arrival preventing immediate discharge, or reducing the normal rate of unloading. Likewise they may earn despatch money when conditions allow speedy discharge. My Ministry has not given instructions, nor is it likely to do so, for the arbitrary slowing down of the discharge of vessels under charter. The third part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Food how many seaworthy vessels are now being used for the storage of grain in the ports of this country; and when he expects that room will be found in our granaries and stores to receive this commodity.

Mr. Strachey

None of the three vessels on hire to my Ministry for the storage of grain would otherwise be available for carrying freight. One is undergoing repair and the others are, I understand, to be laid up or used for purposes other than cargo transport. With regard to the second part of the Question, storage space on land is available for grain. It sometimes happens however, that congestion at ports makes it impossible for vessels to discharge immediately on arrival. It was in order to avoid such delay and the consequent payment of demurrage that my Ministry took the opportunity to hire these vessels for storage.