§ SIR ALFRED HICKMAN (Wolverhampton, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that British shippers have entered into a combination to keep up the freights on British goods, while goods from foreign ports are subject to open competition, and that consequently freights on British produce are in excess of those charged on foreign goods; and, if the Select Committee on Shipping Subsidies will not have power to inquire into these matters, whether he will enlarge their powers to enable them to do so.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am consulting my right hon. friend the President of the Board of Trade on the subject. As it is one of some importance, perhaps the hon. Member will repeat the Question in a few days.
§ MR. WILLIAM ALLANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that goods manufactured in this country can be sent to a continental port, and shipped thence to a foreign country at lower rates than are charged for sending them direct from this country by British shipping?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not know that.