§ 37. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the work which is being carried out by a committee of the legislature of Jamaica to increase shipping communication with England, and the better marketing of its fruits and other products; and if he can hold out any prospects of assisting a subsidised shipping line between the island and this country?
§ Mr. AMERYThe reply to the first part of this question is in the affirmative, and to the second part that I shall always be prepared to give very careful consideration to any recommendations which I may receive on the subject.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the greater part of the shipping at Jamaica is now in the hands of the Americans, and that the trade of Jamaica is also falling into their hands and is being financed by them?
§ Mr. N. MACLEANMay we take it that the reason why this trade has fallen into the hands of American shipping lines is because the British shipping lines have shown a lack of initiative and private enterprise?
§ Mr. AMERYThe shipping is in the hands of Messrs. Elders and Fyffes, who are a registered British shipping line.