HC Deb 28 April 1898 vol 56 cc1398-401
SIR GEORGE S. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there is a Bill before the Congress of the United States to increase the Tonnage Tax to eight times its present amount; and whether this tax will be Applied to British vessels, but not to the vessels of all nations; if so, will Her Majesty's Government enter into negotiations with the United States, with a view to preventing so heavy a burden being laid on British shipping?

MR. CHARLES MCARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury (1) whether he is aware that a Bill is now before Congress which proposes to increase the Tonnage Tax on shipping to eight times its present annual amount, namely, from 30 cents to 2 dollar 40 cents per annum, or per voyage from 6 cents to 30 cents; (2) whether he can state if it is proposed that the shipping of countries hitherto admitted into United States ports free from any Tonnage Tax shall continue to be free from the increased tax, while the full amount of the increased tax is to be exacted from British shipping; and (3) whether, if the above inquiries, or either of them, be answered in the affirmative, he will cause representations to be made to the United Stales Government as to the injurious effect which so burdensome an imposition is calculated to have upon trade between the United Kingdom and the States, and the exceptional severity with which it will press upon British shipping?

SIR JOHN WILLOX (Liverpool, Everton)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that a Bill is now before the Congress of the United Stales of America winch proposes to increase the Tonnage Tax on ships entering United Slates ports to eight times its present amount, amounting in maximum to 2 dollars 40 cents per ten per annum; and whether, inasmuch, as the ships of some other countries are admitted into United States ports free from such Tonnage Tax, Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the Government of the United States in this sense?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Her Majesty's Government are aware that a Bill is new before the United States Congress for an increase in the Tonnage Tax on shipping, but no information has been received officially with regard to the exact provisions of the Bill. The question is engaging our attention.

MR. C. H. WILSON (Hull, W.)

Will the right honourable Gentleman kindly answer the third paragraph of the Question of the honourable Member for the Exchange Division of Liverpool, as this matter is very important to all engaged in the shipping interest?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I think my answer really covered all three paragraphs. Her Majesty's Government are aware that there is a Bill before Congress—I do not pledge myself as to the precise accuracy of my honourable Friend's figures—but it is a Bill undoubtedly enormously augmenting the charges upon shipping. With regard to the second paragraph, no information has been received officially as to the exact provisions of the Bill, but I believe it is true that there is an exception in favour of those countries which do not exact light dues. As to the third paragraph, the question is engaging the attention of the Government, and we will do whatever we can to protect the interests of the British shipping trade.

MR. C. H. WILSON

I do not think the right honourable Gentleman has realised the importance of the Bill, especially to the owners of steamers running from Liverpool to Atlantic ports—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The honourable Member is now really arguing upon the Question.

MR. C. H. WILSON

May I ask the First Lord whether he has thoroughly realised the importance of this Bill? Will he consent to receive a deputation from those interested in the American trade?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I think that if a deputation is to be of any great value it ought to be addressed to those who are not already fully seized with the views of the members of that deputation, and who are not already in thorough agreement with them. As I have already indicated, we do desire to protect the interests of British shipping in this matter. The persons who have control over this matter are not Her Majesty's Government, but Congress and the Government of the United States.

MR. C. H. WILSON

I think the First Lord of the Treasury still does not realise the importance—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The honourable Member is not entitled to comment on the answer.

SIR E. H. EVANS (Southampton)

May I ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the action in Congress, he will consider if he cannot alter ins Light Dues Bill and remove that charge from shipping?

[No Reply.]