Varied provision, he said, must be made for the different dangers to which merchant. shipping might be exposed in various circumstances.
Where trade was of great im= portance or density, and liable to attack by surface vessels, submarines or aircraft, the view of the Ad~ miralty was that a suitably escorted convoy would provide the best means of defence, When trade was sparse of seatter-ed, or unlikely to be attacked enemy forces, its safety would be sought by diversion or evasive routeing with such patrols as the circumstances warranted, The Admiralty recognized that convoy might be necessary as early fas the outbreak of the War, and they were ready to. put it into operation where and when it was required.
'AS the House was no doubt aware, continued, there had been sitting for. some time a very strong com. mitieo representative of shipping interests, the Board of Trade and the Admiralty.
'Mr. Shakespeare paid tribute to the manner in which leaders of the shipping industry had ce-operated In this vital matter, The Admiralty, Ihe added, for their part, were busily engaged in building up' the reserves of armaments, stores and material necessary to ensure the protection Jof the merchant navy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.