§ 11. Sir ARTHUR FELLasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the serious position of the coasting trade of this country, which is not in a position to resume business owing to the great increase in wages and costs, whilst the railways running in competition have not raised their freight charges to any appreciable extent; that, under these conditions, the steamers on the East Coast route cannot resume trade against the subsidised railway freights; and what action the Government will take?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am aware that it is represented that the coasting trade is placed in a difficulty through no general increase having been made in the rates for carrying goods by rail and that the coasting trade cannot reduce their freight charges to the level of the railway rates. The question how this position can best 1314 be met is difficult to solve. It is part of the transportation problem which has made the establishment of a Ministry of Ways and Communications urgent.
§ Sir A. FELLIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there will be no steamers running on the East Coast of England where they frequently used to run before the War. Unless something is done the present position must go on, and there will be no competition at all with the railways?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe Government are fully aware of the very great difficulties which have arisen in connection with the coasting traffic. These matters are very complex, and very much interlocked with other problems, and it is not possible to announce in any brief statement what is the best thing to do.