HC Deb 02 March 1925 vol 181 cc10-1
12. Mr. B. SMITH

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is a great disparity in the freight rates to Canada for settlers' effects charged by conference lines and non-conference lines and whether, in the interests of British emigrants, he will endeavour to secure reasonable flat freight rates for settlers' effects

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)

I have been asked to reply. I have seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers about freight rates to Canada for settlers' effects, but am unable without investigation to say whether it is correct or not. I understand that the whole question of freight rates to Canada, will shortly be investigated by a special Parliamentary Committee in Canada.

Mr. SMITH

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in accordance with the Preston Report, which is a Canadian Government Official Report, that that colony is intending to treat the disparity of the freight rates between, or the favouritism between Germany and other countries as against British exports and imports from Canada —that they are about to make it a first-class political issue, having regard to the fact that they claim that the British peers, knights and directors of the shipping conference of this country have whittled away the preference that was granted to them!

Sir B. CHADWICK

No doubt that will be-the subject of the investigation to which I have referred. We must await the result of it.

Mr. SMITH

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House some idea of the date of the inquiry, and how it will be constituted?

Sir B. CHADWICK

I have no particulars about the inquiry, because it is not our inquiry, but the Canadian Government's inquiry.