§ 5. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Germans can operate traffic on the high seas 50 per cent, cheaper than we can; and whether he has any information indicating the reasons for this difference of cost?
Mr. WEBBI understand that the rates of wages paid to seamen on German vessels are considerably less than those currently paid to seamen of similar grades on British vessels. I am unable, however, to say what are the relations between the total costs of operating the ships in the two cases.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEWhat does the President of the Board of Trade propose to do with British commerce in that respect?
§ Viscount CURZONWhen the right hon. Gentleman said that, the wages were lower, did he mean that they are lower actually in English money, or did he make allowance for the rate of exchange?
Mr. WEBBThe information which reaches the Board of Trade is not exact; but gold marks at the present time are 1933 rather above par, that is to say, British money has depreciated in relation to gold marks. That is the nearest calculation that can be made.