§ 5. Mr. WELLOCKasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can say whether any and, if so, what changes have taken place this year in the shipping freights between Australia and this country; and whether such changes have had any appreciable effect upon the volume of shipping on the routes concerned?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am informed that the Australian Conference Lines have made no changes this year in shipping freights between Australia and this country except in respect of wheat, the rates on which, as is customary with the lines, have been varied from time to time to correspond to the rates secured by tramp tonnage in that trade. Since January the rates for wheat by both liners and tramps have, on the whole, 1576 tended to fall, the fall varying from 15 per cent. to 25 per cent. The number of factors involved make it impossible to say what effect, if any, such changes have had on the volume of shipping on the routes concerned.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWould the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to find some better word than "tramps" for an invaluable type of British merchant vessel?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThey are an invaluable type of ship, but they have a historic tradition, and the name of "tramp" is not a term of disrespect, but is rather a household name of which we are all proud.
§ Sir ROBERT THOMASIs it not a fact that tramp tonnage and liner tonnage for the conveyance of wheat have been operating on an unprofitable basis for many years?