To Relax Control Of British Shipping After March 2

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1945, Page 8

To Relax Control Of British Shipping After March 2

(Rec. 11 a.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 18

Dry cargo ships, other than troopships or others engaged' in direct military or navai services, will be released from requisition on the termination of voyages after March 2, 1946, when the present charters expire. This was announced in the House of Commons today by the Minister for Transport (Mr. Alfred Barnes). He said it would be necessary, however, in order to secure the best use of the limited shipping resources, to keep control iii a different form over its employment. The Government desired to restore responsibility and initiative to the shipping industry to the fullest extent practicable after March 2, 1946,. The Go\ ,p ernment, however, must cpntinue to ensure that sufficient tonnage was available for essential imports and other purposes necessary to Britain's economy. FORM OF CONTROL The form of control would be appropriate to the transition period and wculd be relaxed as circumstances permitted. Tankers would be released from requisitioning as they completed theirvoyages after the end of this' year. They would remain subject to control by license thereafter. Passenger ships and other ships employed in military or naval seiwices would remain under requisition as long as trooping or other military or naval requirements made this necessary.

Mr. E-,arnes said he also proposed to adjust the terms on which Govern-ment-owned ships would be offered to Bi’itish shipowners. Reuters says that shipping circles greeted Mr Alfred Barnes’ shipping statement without surprise. It is in line with what the shipping industry expected. Shipowners were happy to co-operate with the Government and recognised some form of control was necessary after de-requisitioning.