HC Deb 16 March 1917 vol 91 cc1433-4
12. Mr. LYNCH

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the shortage of shipping is the sole cause of the restrictions placed upon the export trade of France with this country; and, if so, whether he can state what use is made of the cargo space of ships which have been employed in conveying troops or cargo to France?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING CONTROL (Sir Leo Chiozza Money)

The shortage of tonnage is not the sole reason for imposing restrictions on the importation of certain goods into this country, such considerations as the difficulty of finding adequate labour for loading and unloading in the ports and for transport on the railways, etc., being of considerable weight. The fact that some ships which carry cargo to North France return in ballast, is therefore not sufficient to justify the removal of restrictions on the importation of non-essential goods.

Mr. LYNCH

May I ask whether arrangements could not be made for loading these ships on their return with French exports and if any arrangements could be made at French ports for discharging cargo?

Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEY

I fully appreciate the motive which leads my hon. Friend to ask his questions, but I beg him to believe that every interest concerned has been fully considered and consulted. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has had personal conversation with the French Government on all the details, and so far as such a matter can be said to be satisfactory, satisfactory conclusions have been arrived at.

Mr. LYNCH

Is the hon. Gentleman sufficiently aware that in this consideration the French Government are actuated by motives of generosity towards the Allies, and often strain, out of natural politeness, that generosity to the dis-dvantage of their own commerce and to the advantage of British commerce unfairly?

Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEY

The fact of the matter is, and I think the French Government fully realise the fact, that we imposed restrictions which severely affected important trading of our OWE before we touched trading in which our Allies are interested.

Mr. THORNE

Have there been any cases where the ships have left French ports empty?

Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEY

That is implied in the answers I have given to my hon. Friend opposite.