§ 37. Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as the average length of a voyage by passenger steamer at present between British ports and Sydney, New South Wales, is five weeks and that there has been no reduction in this for the last 30 years, he will take steps, in consultation with the shipping companies concerned, to expedite this voyage?
Mr. StanleyThe speed of the shipping service provided is a matter for the shipping companies concerned, to whom the statements in my hon. Friend's question have been referred. I am informed that they have this question of speed in mind, and have in recent years built ships which are capable of maintaining a higher 216 speed, but the replacement of their fleets is not complete and will still take time.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesCould not the right hon. Gentleman take this matter up with the British shipping companies in order to see if something can be done to reduce the inordinate length of the voyage between this country and Australia, which is at present quite unreasonable?
Mr. StanleyI have brought this question to the notice of the shipping companies. The hon. Member will realise that you cannot consider speed without at the same time considering expense. The speeding up of these vessels will entail an increase in expenditure without, perhaps, adequate advantages.