§ 50. Mr. PETOasked the Prime Minister "whether, in view of the fact that the 438 placing of the order for the three Canadian "Dreadnoughts" in this country would involve the payment directly or indirectly of wages to the extent of at least £5,000,000 sterling in this country out of money provided by Canadian taxpayers, he will now consider the advisability of altering the fiscal system of this country so as to give some preference to Canadian products in our home market?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the negative. His Majesty's Government have no intention of altering the fiscal system of the United Kingdom.
An HON. MEMBERWill not the cost of these "Dreadnoughts" be largely met by duties levied on British imports going into Canada, and will not the British manufacturer, as the foreigner, pay the duty?
§ Mr. CROFTHaving regard to the very great importance felt in many parts of this House as to this particular question, could not the right hon. Gentleman give a day to discuss the possibility of making some return to the Dominions oversea for this generous policy which is proposed?
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would not be as well to build these "Dreadnoughts" abroad, as under Free Trade that is supposed to be as good?
§ Mr. MARTINrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERNone of these questions seem to arise.
§ 52. Mr. MARTINasked if the memorandum of the Admiralty given to the Canadian Ministers was intended as a request for an emergency contribution of "Dreadnoughts" from Canada?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe memorandum speaks for itself. It contains no request, and leaves the facts set out to the unfettered consideration of the Canadian Government and Parliament.
§ 53. Mr. MARTINasked what additional taxation per annum will be put upon the British taxpayer in providing maintenance for the three "Dreadnoughts" to be built by Canada?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not pre-pared to reply to this question while the subject to which it refers is still under discussion in the Canadian Parliament.