HC Deb 29 January 1930 vol 234 cc968-9
9. Sir N. G RATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the hardship inflicted upon the British shipping industry, in which there is considerable unemployment, by the restriction enforced by the Italian Government that the 1,000,000 tons of coal to be exported from this country to Italy must be carried in Italian vessels; and, having regard to the fact that vessels of all nationalities, including Italian, are free to bring to this country commodities of every kind without any restrictions, will he make such representations as may be necessary to the Italian Government, to alleviate the position?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. R. Smith)

I have been asked to answer this question. I am not aware that the Italian Government have enforced any such restriction as that mentioned by the hon. Member, but under the agreement made at The Hague the arrangements for shipping the coal bought in this country for the Italian State Railways were left to the Italian Government.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Surely the hon. Member, as representing the Government, must know that none of this coal—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is not asking a question.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Is the hon. Member aware that there is a great amount of unemployment and hardship in the shipping industry, and that none of this tonnage of coal has yet been carried in British bottoms?

Mr. SMITH

Possibly that may be true, having regard to the fact that the carrying of the coal was left to the Italian Government.

Sir N GRATTAN-DOYLE

Will the hon. Member make representations to his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who agreed to this arrangement, to see whether it cannot be altered?

Mr. SMITH

I am afraid that it may be difficult, having regard to the fact that the Italian Government have shipping of their own, to ask them, to allow their ships to stand idle while other ships are being used.

Sir N. G RATTAN-DOYLE

Is it or is it not a fact that one of the main conditions made by the Italian Government was that this coal should be shipped in Italian bottoms?

Mr. SMITH

I have already answered. The arrangements for carrying the coal were left with the Italian Government.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Why is it that in all these cases there is absolute neglect of British interests?