asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consult with the Minister of War Transport with a view to ensuring frequent and regular steamship services between the United Kingdom and the British West Indies.

I am already in consultation with the Minister of War Transport on the subject. At present most of the available shipping is required for Service needs, i.e. repatriation, movements for demobilisation and reinforcements, etc., and some considerable time must elapse before any shipping is available to run regular and frequent services between this country and the West Indies.