§ 101. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the President of the Board of Trade if the Committee on Shipping and Shipbuilding have 669 made any recommendations respecting measures to increase the amount of merchant tonnage?
Mr. RUNCIMANI have not received any recommendation from the Committee on this subject. Active steps have already been taken by the Board of Trade without waiting for any recommendations.
§ 102. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the President of the Board of Trade if any conclusions have been reached as the result of communications between the Tonnage Committee, the Board of Trade, the War Office, and the Admiralty with reference to the economical use of merchant ships under Government control and the release of vessels which can be spared for mercantile purposes?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir, the question has been closely examined, and action has been taken with a view to release of tonnage where military and naval exigencies will permit of it.
103. Mr. S. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the injury which is being inflicted on British merchants in the Far East in consequence of the sudden prohibition by the Board of Trade against the importation of fancy goods which were ordered months ago from Japanese manufacturers for the next season's trade; is he aware that the British Ambassador in Tokio has telegraphed several times on behalf of merchants for a detailed list of goods prohibited, without eliciting any definite information on which shippers can act; is he aware that in many cases British merchants in Japan may be forced to repudiate their contracts owing to the financial difficulties in which they may be placed in consequence of the sudden and unexpected prohibition, will he say whether the Japanese Government has approached the British Government on behalf of Japanese merchants, and will he undertake that no concession will be granted to Japanese merchants that are withheld from British merchants in Japan; and, in order to save many British merchants from ruin, will he authorise the importation of goods contracted for in Japan prior to the 25th March, 1916?
Mr. RUNCIMANRepresentations have been received concerning the effect upon trade with Japan of the import prohibitions which it has been necessary to establish with a view to securing addi- 670 tional tonnage for the urgent needs of ourselves and our Allies. I regret, however, that it is not possible, consistently with this object, to exempt goods ordered but not paid for or dispatched before the date on which the prohibitions were announced.
Mr. SAMUELWill the right hon. Gentleman give particulars of the goods which are prohibited? The Commercial Attaché at Tokio cannot give any information. The merchants are continually asking for orders, and the Board of Trade will give no information—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member in making a statement.
104. Mr. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that permission has been given to a number of Anglo-German firms to import Havana cigars into this country provided they were shipped before the 15th March, whereas the importation of cigars already manufactured and shipped from the Philippine Islands on the 9th March by Spanish firms had been prohibited; and will he arrange that equal facilities shall be given to imports from both these American possessions so that shipments from both before the 15th March shall be allowed entry into this country?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe Committee appointed to deal with the importation of tobacco decided that licences should be granted for the importation of Havana cigars which left Havana on or before the 18th March. This decision was taken in view of the peculiar circumstances of the Havana cigar trade and has no relation to the nationality of the importers or exporters.
Mr. RUNCIMANI could not say that without notice. I should require to have particulars of the Philippine trade.
§ 105. Mr. HEWINSasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the period of time within which our imports have been restricted by between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 tons; and how is this estimate made up as regards the commodities now subject to prohibition restrictions?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe restrictions at present in force are framed with a view to reducing imports to the extent of between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 tons per annum. The first Proclamation with this object came into effect on 1st March. It is not possible within the limits of a reply to indicate exactly how this estimate was arrived at, but if the hon. Gentleman will call at the Board of Trade the calculations can be shown to him.
§ Mr. HEWINSCan the right hon. Gentleman say by how much imports have been actually restricted up to date?
Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot say without notice. The Proclamations came into operation at various dates. They are not likely to have full effect until the goods which were in transit have been disposed of.
§ Mr. HEWINSMay I ask if what the right hon. Gentleman means is that if restrictions are fully operative for twelve months the imports will be restricted by the amount mentioned in my question?
Mr. RUNCIMANI can scarcely accept the definition of the hon. Gentleman. What I said was that the restrictions as they will be operative are expected in the course of twelve months to produce the reduction mentioned.
§ Mr. HEWINSIt is the same thing.
Mr. RUNCIMANIt is not the same thing. The restrictions have been very large, but licences have in some cases to be issued.
§ 106. Mr. HEWINSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state with regard to what articles subject to prohibition and to what countries of origin licences for importation were granted during April?
Mr. RUNCIMANSuch licences as were granted during the month of April were given mainly with reference to the fact that the goods were en route or had been paid for before the dates on which the prohibitions were announced, or because they were urgently required for military purposes. I fear that it would not be possible to classify the licences according to the countries of origin of the goods without an expenditure of labour disproportionate to the value of the information obtained.
§ Mr. HEWINSDoes the right hon. Gentleman's reply cover all licences or all licences including goods paid for?
Mr. RUNCIMANNo, it does not necessarily follow that goods which are said to be paid for can be granted licences. Obviously some of the cases have to be very closely investigated before licences can be issued. Our object is to give the benefit of the doubt rather in favour of an increase of our tonnage space.
§ Mr. HEWINSAre licences given for goods not paid for?
§ Mr. HEWINSNever?
Mr. RUNCIMANThere are certain special cases, but the general rule is that they are not given for goods unless they are paid for or are in transit.
§ Mr. MAURICE HEALYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any distinction is drawn between importation in foreign ships and in British ships?
Mr. RUNCIMANNo distinction is drawn. It does not matter from the point of view of tonnage space whether goods come to this country in neutral vessels or British vessels.