§ 75. Sir B. PETOasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the entire cost of regular naval and military guards on British ships to afford protection against piracy is to be charged to the shipping companies or only the additional cost incidental to their special service?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. A. V. Alexander)As stated in my reply to a question by the hon. Member on 26th March the cost of any regular guards supplied after the 31st March will be charged against the shipping companies in full.
§ Sir B. PETOWhy are British ship-owners treated worse than the Egyptian Government in this matter?
§ Mr. ALEXANDERI have no reason to believe that they are treated worse.
§ Sir B. PETODoes not the right hon. Gentleman know that the Egyptian Government are only charged the extra cost of British troops stationed in Egypt and not the whole cost?
§ Mr. ALEXANDERThat is an entirely different matter.
§ Sir B. PETOIs it not the traditional British policy to afford our ships protection against piracy?