§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the declaration on May 22nd of a dividend for the past year by the Suez Canal Company which will give the British Government a dividend for the past year of nearly 28 per cent., free of taxes, on the investment of £4,000,000 in 1875; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of refunding to British tonnage passing through the canal last year some proportion, say 5 or 10 per cent., of the dividend, having regard to the charges it had to meet to earn such an income for the company.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINAccording to the announcement in the public Press, a substantial reduction in the shipping dues will be proposed at the annual meeting of the company. I should not be justified in proposing a grant in aid of a particular section of British shipping on the ground stated in the Question.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTI shall call attention to this matter at the earliest opportunity.