60. Mr. RUNCIMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the new situation reached as a result of the recent action, China Mutual Steam Navigation Company versusMaclay, he can now state what policy the Government propose to adopt with regard to the requisition of liners and other merchant ships for trading purposes, and in particular who is to fix the rates of freights charged to importers and exporters; and on what basis these rates are to be calculated?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Sir Leo Chiozza Money)I have been asked to reply to this question. The policy of the Shipping Controller is governed by national requirements and has, therefore, undergone no change as a result of the decision referred to. The scheme of liner requisition, in which, I am glad to say, shipowners almost without exception were and are co-operating most loyally, will, therefore, be carried out in accordance 1356 with the principles fully explained by me in the House.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the hon. Gentleman withdraw the imputation made on a Member of the House, seeing that the judge has decided that he was right?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI do not remember any such imputation.
§ Mr. PRINGLEYou did.
Mr. RUNCIMANMay I ask whether any change is to be made in the methods of the Ministry of Shipping in consequence of this action, or whether it is intended in future to take the steps which are necessary for the carrying out of that policy, in spite of the decision of the Court?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYAs I understand it, the learned judge expressed the hope that there should be amicable negotiations, and, as a matter of fact, almost without exception, the shipowners approved of the agreement with the Government.
Mr. RUNCIMANWill it be the policy of the Shipping Controller to proceed by way of agreement, and, in the event of a failure, will he attempt to exercise powers which the Court says he does not possess?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe Shipping Controller pursued the course of amicable agreement, and before the trial of the action almost without exception every shipowner agreed.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the hon. Member not aware that the learned judge decided that the letter of requisition of March last was ultra vices, and that the Shipping Controller had no right or power to requisition the services of shipowners; and, furthermore, is the hon. Gentleman not aware that, since that decision, the shipowners throughout the country are reviewing the arrangements made with the Ministry of Shipping?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI am glad to say that, since the trial of that action, the Shipping Controller has received from the liner owners, very widely indeed, assurances that the former undertaking they arrived at with him will be adhered to, and there will be therefore no difficulty in carrying on the very important business of running ships in the national interest.
Mr. RUNCIMANWill the hon. Gentleman say who is to fix the rates of freight charged to exporters and importers?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe general policy pursued by the Shipping Controller is to make the freights cover the cost of running the ships. So far as the Department is concerned, it has endeavoured to fix such freights as will cover the cost, and nothing more.
§ Mr HOLTWill the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the Ministry of Shipping will not put the rate of freight above the figure agreed by the shipowners, as are likely to cover expenses without giving a profit?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI have already given the House a most complete assurance that the Shipping Controller desires to do nothing more than to carry the goods required by this country at cost price.