§ 48. Mr. ALBERYasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider with the Dominions' representatives the possibility of taking some action calculated to cheapen the cost of transit, both for passengers and freight, between ports situated in the British Empire, with a view to facilitating Empire trade, development, and settlement, and to increasing Empire traffic of all kinds?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)I have been asked to reply. The Imperial Shipping Committee, which contains representatives of the Dominions as well as of this country, was appointed in 1920 to "inquire into complaints from persons and bodies interested with regard to ocean freights, facilities and conditions in the inter-Imperial trade …." This Committee, which has published 12 reports, has done a great deal of very useful work of the sort which I think my hon. Friend has in mind. Further, the Oversea Settlement Committee arrange reduced passage rates for approved British settlers under agreements made with the Oversea Dominions, under the Empire Settlement Act, 1922.