§ MR. CARBUTTasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can state the number of British ships or British tonnage going through the Suez Canal in ballast; and, whether the reduction of 2½ francs per ton on ships in ballast will apply to ships carrying coal, that is to say, will the Suez Canal Company allow ships, under the new arrangement, to ballast with coal?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCEXCHE-QUER. (Mr. CHILDRENS)In answer to my hon. Friend, I have to say that in the Returns prepared by the Suez Canal Company of the number of ships in ballast passing each year through the Canal British ships are not separately shown. I am informed, however, that the English proportion of the total tonnage of ships in ballast may safely be taken as from 85 to 90 per cont. The number and tonnage of vessels of all nations passing in ballast through the Canal during the last three years were in 1880, 24 vessels, 27,055 tons; in 1881, 143 vessels, 186,639 tons; and in 1882, 124 vessels, 171,935 tons.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHAre ships of war counted in the Return?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)I believe not. The Question, in the exact words as given, was sent to Paris, and I have given the reply as received.