HC Deb 14 May 1918 vol 106 cc186-7
19. Mr. HOUSTON

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the Shipping Controller's attention has been called to the profits made and dividends declared by the French steamship companies, the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique and the Compagnie Havraise Péninsulaire, for the year 1917, showing large increases over the profits and dividends for 1916; whether the steamers of these companies have been trading on owners' account at commercial rates of freight, or, if engaged on Government work, have received much higher rates of hire from the French Government than British steamers receive from the British Government; and whether British steamers have been lent to France at British Blue Book rates of freight which in many cases show little or no profit and in some cases actual loss to British owners?

Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEY

The facts appear to be as stated by the hon. Member, subject to the qualifications that, as the published balance-sheets of British shipping companies show, their position in general, apart from isolated instances, is by no means as bad as is suggested in this question, and that, as to the position of French shipowners, this has been considerably modified by the recent French shipping requisition decree. As to the last part of the question, it is obviously right—and, indeed, the only practicable course—that the rates of hire paid to British shipowners for requisitioned ships should be the same, whatever the service on which the ships happen to be engaged. The terms on which steamers are made available to the Government of an Ally are an entirely separate matter, depending upon the nature of the obligations mutually operative between the Allied Governments.

Mr. HOUSTON

Is it not a fact that for some three years at least British ships at Blue Book rates have been handed over to France, and French steamers until quite recently have been run at commercial rates, and does not my hon. Friend see how the British shipowner will be handicapped after the War?

Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEY

The facts are substantially as stated by my hon. Friend. With regard to this matter I must ask him to put his questions on the Paper.

Mr. HOLT

Does my hon. Friend agree that the French Government are paying the British Government for British ships substantially less than they are paying French shipowners for French ships?

Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEY

That is not necessarily implied in the answer.