§ Order read for resuming adjourned debate on Question [3rd May], "That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire to what extent the Statutory Requirements applying to British ships trading to and from ports in the United Kingdom should be made applicable to foreign vessels trading to and from such ports."—(Mr. Gerald Balfour.)
§ Question again proposed.
§ MR. CALDWELL (Lanarkshire, Mid.)said he did not intend to oppose the Motion, but he thought an explanation regarding it should be given. Further, he thought the Motion was unnecessary, because the Board of Trade was in possession of all the facts for the purpose of determining what regulations should be made regarding foreign ships; and he was surprised that the Department did not introduce a Bill on its own responsibility. Not only was the Motion unnecessary, but it was inexpedient; because there was nothing from which British commerce suffered so much as investigations by the House of Commons, which were designed to hit the foreigner, and which had the effect of stimulating the foreigner against this country.
§ MR. O'MARA (Kilkenny, S.)said that the Resolution appeared in an unusual form, because it did not contain the names of the members of the Committee. He had no objection to the inquiry, which he thought would be productive of nothing but good, especially if the members of the Committee were practical men like the hon. Member for Mid Lanark- 460 shire, who was a hard-headed Scotsman He bad heard complaints about foreign ships which were not subject to the Board of Trade regulations entering British ports. For instance, ships laden with timber from Scandinavia frequently entered British ports with immense deck loads which would not be allowed on British ships.
Question put, and agreed to.
Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire to what extent the Statutory Requirements applying to British ships trading to and from ports in the United Kingdom should be made applicable to Foreign vessels trading to and from such ports.