§ 44. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, in addition to a large number of tramp steamers directed by the Ministry of Shipping to proceed to the River Plate to load wheat for this country, various conferences of regular steamship lines were also called upon by the Ministry to supply a large number of steamers to proceed to the River Plate to load wheat for this country, and that these directions continued until last month and have not since been rescinded, although the export of wheat from the Argentine has been prohibited; whether he is aware that these demands were made and directions given by the Ministry of Shipping at the request of the Wheat Commission, and that many more steamers were directed to the River Plate than were required for the cargoes available, resulting in great delays in loading and waste of tonnage; whether he is aware that many steamers now at Argentine ports and on their way there will have to be diverted in ballast away from the Argen- 881 tine, entailing a further loss of money and waste of tonnage; and whether, in view of the inepitude displayed by these Government Departments, he will consider the advisability of removing Government control and the abolition of these Departments, giving thereby commercial freedom and the beneficial effects of competition?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend is correct in pointing out that considerable obstacles have arisen in the Plate to the movement of wheat for British account. Serious delay has occurred in loading owing to local industrial difficulties and the restriction of grain movements to the ports. It is true that the export of wheat was temporarily suspended, but it is understood that this action arose from an error of the Customs officials; and, although a sur-tax has recently been imposed, it is believed that shipments can now be resumed. The result of these difficulties has been delay in loading and loss of tonnage. Only tonnage sufficient for the maintenance of the grain supply of this country was directed, and no steamer has been directed to Argentine waters to load wheat for the United Kingdom since 8th April. As soon as any trouble began to arise, release from direction was, as far as possible, offered to owners. The Government is anxious to remove control whenever possible, but in the case of wheat such a course cannot easily be adopted, so long as a high Bread Subsidy continues to exist.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information which has been supplied to him regarding the ships mentioned is incorrect; and is he not aware that commercial opinion universally condemns the paralysing effect of Government control?
45. The HON. MEMBERfurther asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the shortage of wheat throughout the world and the threatened shortage of bread in this country; whether he is aware that the Argentine, from which country we have been mainly drawing our supplies of wheat, has now prohibited the export of wheat; whether he is aware that Argentina has been suffering a coal famine by reason of the greatly reduced export of coal from this country, brought about by 882 the diminished output of coal from the mines; whether he will consider the possibility of negotiating with the Argentine Government for supplies of wheat in exchange for supplies of coal; and whether, with a view to prevent a shortage of bread, he will invite the co-operation of the miners and mineowners of this country to increase the production and export of coal?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs regards the statement respecting the prohibition of the export of wheat from the Argentine, the precise position at the moment does not appear to be quite clear, but I am having further inquiries made. As to the last part of the question, I am unable to add anything to the answers which were given to the hon. Member by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade on 13th May and 7th June.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that when this question was put upon the Order Paper the prohibition of wheat had been decreed by the Argentine Government, and that it has since been substituted by a very high export duty amounting to about £8 a ton, which will have the effect of increasing the price of food in this country; and will the right hon. Gentleman consider the suggestion in the question with regard to coal?