§ MR. GOURLEYasked, Whether hundreds of ships and thousands of workmen are not at present without employment in the shipbuilding ports of the United Kingdom, owing to the depression in the shipping trade; and, whether the Government will appoint a Royal Commission or a Select Committee to inquire into the cause?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINI am aware there is a great deal of depression in the shipping trade at the present time; but I do not think it is necessary or expedient to have any special inquiry into the cause, because the cause is perfectly well understood—namely, the great overproduction of ships that has taken place during the last few years. I may mention, in proof of this, some rather extraordinary figures. The tonnage of new ships built in 1881 exceeded 500,000 tons; in 1882 it exceeded 600,000 tons; and last year it was 748,000 tons.
§ MR. GOURLEYasked whether the shipping industry was not in a state of prosperity in France, whilst it was depressed in this country?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINNO; I believe that is not the case.