Lord Inchcape in a letter to the Times last week
complained bitterly of the Departmental restrictions which hinder the shipping industry. He gave two specific instances. In one case, some steel frames needed for a damaged ship in India were held up for a fort- night at an East Coast port for a licence. In another case, a propeller-shaft was required for a steamer, but was delayed for a priority certificate, and thus the steamer remained idle. In these cases, unnecessary red-tape and the usual lack of co-ordination between Departments seem to have kept two ships idle for several weeks. Lord Inchcape contrasted the action of the Demobilization Department, which seeks work for discharged men and gives them an unemployment donation, with that of the Priority officials who prevent work from being done.
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