HC Deb 24 March 1908 vol 186 cc1207-8
SIR J. DICKSON-POYNDER (Wiltshire, Chippenham)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large consignments of British produce now being carried in foreign ships from ports along the East African coast, he will consider the advisability of granting practical facilities to some responsible line of British steamers to perform this increasing commercial and Imperial service.

MR. CHURCHILL

My right hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. The matter to which my hon. friend refers has engaged the attention of His Majesty's Government for some time, but the negotiations which have been carried on with a view to establishing an adequate service of British steamers on suitable terms have not, up to the present, been successful.

SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)

asked whether the Government had under consideration the question of giving subsidies to some line of British steamers trading to East Africa.

MR. CHURCHILL

said that that question had been under consideration, but whether under favourable consideration was another matter.