§ 51. Mr. PRINGLEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the British flag has disappeared in the trade between North and South America, and that six vessels under the American flag sailed from New York for South American ports between 26th June and 15th July last, in addition to several neutral vessels loaded by American firms; and will he state what arrangements are being made for the reappearance of the British flag in this trade and the protection of British interests, which created and conducted this trade until the outbreak of war, when British vessels were withdrawn by the British Government from this trade for the service of the Allies and the prosecution of the War?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to him on 20th June, and to the hon. Member for the West Toxteth Division of Liverpool on the 14th May, in reply to similar questions. The facts are generally as indicated in the question regarding the withdrawal of British vessels from this trade for direct war services. As already stated, the Shipping Controller is anxious to meet the situation resulting from the withdrawal of tonnage referred to, so far as that is possible without reducing the transport of war supplies. Steps have accordingly been taken to allocate between the shipowners concerned certain neutral vessels which, not being available for war zone trading, can usefully be employed in the trade between North and South America.
§ Mr. HOUSTONDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that the British flag has disappeared from this trade, and that the employment of neutral ships in that trade would not benefit the British flag?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe Shipping Controller is acquainted with the facts, and recognises the importance of the question. He has done the best he can to meet the very difficult situation, but I do not think that my hon. Friend would suggest that we should withdraw vessels from direct war service to fill this gap, lamentable as it may be?
§ Mr. HOUSTONI would suggest that American ships should be withdrawn from this service and put into the Allied trade?
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it not a trifle incongruous that while we are lending ships to America for all purposes, America, with new interests, should be taking the place of British services between North and South America, and does he not see that it is reasonable to ask that, while we are giving all that to America, the Americans should not be collaring British trade?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYWe are not lending ships to America. We are lending ships to the common cause of the Allies, and because we are employing ships as we are doing, we are able to bring 10,000 American soldiers to Europe every day.
§ Mr. MACMASTERMay I ask if the ships referred to here are not ships that are engaged in coastwise trade north and south, and that their disappearance in that respect has no particular bearing upon the question?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe fact is that these ships were engaged in trading between North and South America. In order to make them more useful to the Allied cause, we have caused them to trade to Europe.
§ Mr. PRINGLECannot the Government see that British and American ships are used in equal proportions for the general cause of the Allies, and not for particular trades?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYMy hon. Friend can rely upon it that the Shipping Controller is fully seized of the facts, and is doing his best in order to remove any grievance.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan we be assured that the War Cabinet shares the views of the Shipping Controller on this matter?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYMost certainly. The War Cabinet is acquainted with those views, and shares them.