§ 8. Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to make any statement about the intention of the Government to carry part of the insurance on one or both of the ships to he built for the Cunard Company, subject to the payment of a premium; and will he state whether he will accept further marine insurance business of a similar nature?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe nature of the proposals for assisting the Cunard Company in the matter of insurance will, I hope, be explained to the House very shortly. They apply only to one or at the most two ships of a specially high value.
§ Mr. SAMUELWill this cover be continued when the vessels go to sea or only when they are building?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI shall be very grateful to my hon. Friend if he will defer these questions because I propose to give a detailed explanation to the House when this matter comes before it.
§ Mr. SAMUELAs this is a departure from the usual practice, will the right hon. Gentleman produce a White Paper before the debate showing exactly what we are doing?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am not sure whether a White Paper will accompany the 643 Financial Resolution, but I will bear it in mind. In any case, hon. Members will have full and exact information.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see the advantage of all these statements being made to the House before the discussion begins?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am not responsible for any discussions which have taken place in the newspapers and outside. I have to conduct the negotiations.
§ Mr. KINLEYIs my right hon. Friend aware that, while this company has been seeking Government assistance, it has at the same time been discharging its workers of 65 years and over and will he also bear that fact in mind?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI was not aware of that fact.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEMay I ask whether it has been decided that one of these new Cunarders is to come to the Tyne?