§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, and, if so, in what respect, the interpretation of coastal trade by the United States differs from that accepted in this country; and 1497 whether, if such a difference of interpretation exists, it would be possible for this country to adopt a similar definition of coastal trade.
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe carrying trade between the United Kingdom and the various British Colonies and Possessions, as well as the carrying trade between ports of the United Kingdom, and also inter-colonial trade, has long been free from any restriction as to the nationality of vessel. The United States treat the carrying trade between their Atlantic and Pacific seaboards as coasting trade, and reserve it to national vessels, and they also reserve the trade between their oversea possessions of Porto Rico and Hawaii. The question appears to be one of policy, and it is not proposed to change the policy which we have hitherto adopted.