§ MR. CHARLES McARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the navigation bounties granted by the French laws of 1893 and 1902 to French-built sailing vessels and steamers engaged in long-voyaged trades; and whether he will endeavour, by legislation or otherwise, to provide means whereby British vessels in the same trades may be protected from the disadvantages of competing on unequal terms with those bounty-assisted vessels.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am aware of the existence of the bounties referred to. The question of the effect of these and other shipping bounties on British trade was the subject of investigation last session by a Select Committee, which I hope will shortly be re-appointed to complete the Inquiry.