Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Postmaster-General if he can ascertain what subsidy is paid by the French and German Governments for the mail service from Marseilles to Mombasa; and whether, in view of the fact that owing to such subsidies the entire commerce of East Africa and Uganda is practically confined to Marseilles and Hamburg, he will consider if an adequate subsidy could be paid to a British service?
The HON. MEMBERfurther asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that there is a direct loss to the Post Office of£7,200 a year by the contract for the conveyance of mails from Aden to Mombasa, and that the said service is of no value for either passengers or for trade, he will take into consideration the desirability of terminating the contract, with a view to secure a service that will be of some advantage to the commerce of East Africa?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIn addition to indirect financial contributions of which I have no means of ascertaining the amounts, subsidies of£67,000 and£43,000 are paid by the German and French Governments, respectively, on account of African mail services, which include calls at East African ports, but it is not possible 7 to say what proportions of the subsidies are on account of these calls. From Returns for the year 1908–9 it appears that the tonnages of German, British and French shipping entering and clearing from the British East African ports are in the ratio of 11, 5 and 2. I am not, however, in a position to state the proportion of the trade to and from these ports that is carried in British and foreign bottoms. I have been in consultation on the subject of steamship services to East Africa with the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who communicated with the Governor of the East African Protectorate in the matter. The circumstances of the case lead to the conclusion that though the present subsidy for the service between Aden and Zanzibar has a combined trade and postal justification, there are no sufficient grounds for the payment of a large subsidy for a mail service direct from England to the ports in question.
§ Earl WINTERTONIn view of the fact that a well-known line of steamers is running up from South Africa as far as Mombasa, will the Government take the matter into consideration?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI understand that the Union Line does not at present contemplate any extension of the service from Mombasa back to England by the Suez route.
§ Mr. REESIs the Postmaster-General aware that the interests of Nyasaland are also involved in this question, and that Chinde should be included in the all-East Coast service to be secured by a suitable subsidy?
§ Mr HERBERT SAMUELI am aware that the British India Line are now receiving£7,200 above the value of the postal service they perform.
§ Earl WINTERTONWhat is the nature of the indirect further contribution to which the right hon. Gentleman refers?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI should like to have notice of that. There are certain payments given by Continental governments to these shipping companies, which are still under their flag, and these payments do not correspond to any subsidies given in this country.