asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state whether several consignments of goods from overseas for this country were, on arrival at a British port, held up and confiscated in the absence of the necessary transhipment licence, the necessity for such licence being unknown to the consignees; in how many cases was compensation paid to the consignees for the loss of these goods; in how many cases was compensation refused; and how many cases are still being negotiated, and with what hope of compensation being ultimately paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Goods from Overseas—Confiscation in Britain.
I am aware that in some cases goods consigned to this country in British ships for transhipment at United Kingdom ports have been refused transhipment licences on arrival at those ports and have been seized by the British authorities in accordance with regulations of which public notice was given by the British Board of Trade on the 1st July, 1941. I have no particulars which would enable me to answer the remaining parts of the Deputy's question.
The Minister said there were some cases. Has he any idea of the exact number?
I have not. No. 6.