HC Deb 22 June 1880 vol 253 cc547-8
MR. MACIVER

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he was aware that the French Government was about to pass a law providing for the payment of a bounty on every ton of new shipping built in France? He had received a telegram from Glasgow that he proposed to read to the House— We have advice from our French correspondent that the French Government are this week to pass a law providing for payment of a bounty of l½f. per ton on every ton of new ships built in France for each thousand miles traversed in voyages to and from France. This is equivalent to a bounty of about £2,000 per voyage on the class of steamers we employ between France and South America, or equal to 10 per cent per annum on the steamer's value. This will practically drive British shipping out of French carrying trade. We understand some of the large French Shipping Companies have arranged to double their fleet the moment this becomes law. He wished to know whether the hon. Gentleman could confirm the intelligence contained in that telegram?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

I do not know that I can add anything to the statement I have already made. We have information confirming the intelligence of the hon. Member that the Bill in question is at present before the French Chamber of Deputies. The telegram is identical in its wording to a despatch addressed to several Members of the House and also to the Prime Minister. The telegram says that the French Government is this week to pass a law, &c. That, of course, is a matter for the French Parliament, and I believe that this Bill has been for several months before the Chamber of Deputies; but I cannot inform the hon. Member whether it is likely to become law within the course of the week. However, the matter is one that has been receiving the attention of Her Majesty's Government, and our views will be brought to the knowledge of the French Government during our negotiations.