§ 79. Mr. Johnstonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that during recent months the foreign - owned vessels "Reiger," "Cornelia," "Grada," "Senang," and "Setas" have been loaded at Bo'ness with scrap-iron and other munitions materials for another British coastal destination; whether the profits on these voyages will be subjected to British Income Tax; and whether he will give the names of the iron and steel founders who chartered the vessels?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Dr. Burgin)The official records of shipping at Bo'ness show that since 1st January, 1936, none of the vessels mentioned in the question loaded cargo in the coastwise trade at Bo'ness. Two of them carried no cargo coastwise to or from Bo'ness and the remaining three made, in all, four coastwise voyages to that port with cargo, on each occasion departing in ballast. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to his question of the 2nd March. I fear I cannot give information regarding the charterers of the vessels for these voyages.
§ Mr. JohnstonCan the hon. Gentleman give any reason why we cannot have the names of the charterers who get special financial facilities in their own businesses from this House and then deliberately choose foreign vessels?
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not the case that Colville and Company, Limited, are associated with this matter?
§ Mr. JohnstonMay I have an answer to my question? Why cannot we have the names given in this House of the patriotic charterers who deliberately choose foreign vessels to carry munitions?
§ Dr. BurginIt is contrary to the practice to divulge particulars of the individual trader's certificate, which is supplied to the Customs for official purposes?