§ 89. Mr. RICHARDSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will say who are the members of the Expert Committee dealing with the issue of licences permitting British ships to trade between foreign ports and the number of such licences issued since the 1st December; whether, having regard to the shortage of tonnage necessary for adequately dealing with our home trade, the total prohibition of licences is contemplated; and whether there is any evidence to show that this transfer of ships from British to foreign trade is seriously affecting the industries of this country and having a prejudicial effect upon the price of food?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe members of the Ship Licensing Committee are:—
The number of licences issued from 1st December to 20th December inclusive was 118. The total prohibition of licences is not contemplated. There is no evidence that there has been any such transfer of ships from British to foreign trade as is suggested in the question.
- Mr. Maurice Hill, K.C. (Chairman),
- Mr. Burton Chadwick,
- Mr. H. F. Fernie,
- Mr. F. W. Lewis,
- Mr. J. P. Purdie,
- Mr. Harold Sanderson,
- Mr. A. Scholefield.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEHow many of the members are shipowners?
§ Mr. PRETYMANSeveral of them.