asked the Minister of Transport how many vessels of a cross- channel packet type are at present out of commission owing to the ban on foreign travel.

Two, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the system of sailing tickets on cross-channel journeys to Ireland was ineffective in its object and inflicted unnecessary hardship on passengers and intending passengers; and whether he will take steps to pro vide sufficient cross-channel ships for the Christmas holiday period so as to render such a system unnecessary.

The need to save coal makes it impossible to provide a service which could guarantee every possible passenger a place at holiday peaks. The sailing ticket system, with all its disadvantages, is the best way of minimising hardship to passengers.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that of the ships sailing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland none was full owing to the unfortunate results of the sailing ticket system, which also caused great hardship to many people? As there are ships to spare on the cross Channel routes to the Continent, and as there will probably be more, cannot he have some of those transferred to the routes to Ireland, in order to give us, at last and for once, a fair share of the shipping, for the sake of the people going to Ireland for their holidays?

I am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman for his suggestion. I am looking into it.