§ SIR CHARLES M'LARENI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called, in view of a war of tariff's with foreign countries, to the possibility of the ex-
† See (4) Debates, cxxiii., 643.‡ See (4) Debates, cxxiv., 1527.1146 clusion of British coasters and tramp vessels from the coasting trade of foreign countries; and whether he will cause full inquiries to be made of every shipbuilding firm in Great Britain as to the effect upon our shipbuilding industry of such exclusion, regard being had to the numbers of men employed, to the wages of shipyard and engine works men, and to the profits on the capital invested in the industry.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe interests of British shipping engaged in foreign coasting trade will not be lost sight of, but I do not think the inquiry suggested would throw much additional light on the subject.