HC Deb 27 May 1907 vol 174 cc1322-3
MR. FELL

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of passengers who travelled to the United States by the German passenger lines and by the English passenger lines, respectively, during each of the years 1904, 1905, and 1006, distinguishing the classes by which they travelled.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. LLOYD- GEORGE,) Carnarvon Boroughs

The number of passengers travelling from this country to the United States by British vessels and German vessels, respectively, were as follows: In 1904, 251,784 by British vessels and 6,408 by German vessels; in 1905, 235, 251 by British vessels and 6,477 by German vessels; in 1906, 294,038 by British vessels and 7,935 by German vessels. With regard to the classes by which the passengers travelled, it is only possible to distinguish between cabin and steerage passengers. I will give these particulars in the Votes.

[The following were the particulars given in the Votes:]

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE

In the compilation of the Shipping Returns, all vessels registered as British are classed as such. I understand that, speaking generally, the vessels of the White Star Line, Leyland Line, Atlantic Transport Line, and Dominion Line are registered as British, whilst the vessels of the Red Star Line are Belgian, and those of the American Line partly American and partly British.

MR. FELL

Then the Returns are erroneous lo this extent, as these lines are owned by Americans?

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE

Certainly not.