§ 11. Mr. FIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements, if any, have been made by the Government to reduce the freights now levied by shipowners; and whether he can state if any improvements have been effected regarding the delay and difficulty of obtaining commodities from London to Dublin?
Mr. HARCOURTMeasures have been taken by the Government to secure the economical use of existing tonnage and to increase the supply of tonnage, and these measures have their effect on the freight market. As my hon. Friend was informed on 5th July, I am not aware that the traffic between London and Dublin has been subject to any avoidable restriction as com- 1300 pared with traffic between other British ports and Dublin. I am, however, making inquiries into the whole question of communications with Ireland.
§ Mr. FIELDArising out of the unsatisfactory reply I beg to give notice that I shall bring forward this question on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House to-night.
Mr. HARCOURTI should be glad if the hon. Member would allow me to complete my inquiries to enable me to give him some further information.