§ MR. CHARLES M'ARTHURI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in the fiscal inquiry now proceeding, the attention of the Cabinet will be specially directed to the importance of maintaining the position occupied by British shipping in the carrying trade of the world, and to the expediency of considering whether the effect of foreign protective systems upon particular branches of this industry can be obviated 162 without detriment to the general carrying trade of the United Kingdom.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think it is expedient to answer in an inclusive or in an exclusive sense Questions as to the fiscal inquiry; but my hon. friend may rest assured I fully recognise the enormous importance of this industry from the point of view of International commerce.