HC Deb 16 March 1931 vol 249 cc1669-70
72. Mr. ALBERY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any figures to show what subsidies are paid to American shipping companies for carrying mails between America and this country?

Mr. W. R. SMITH

I can only say that information published in the United States shows that the payments made in respect of mail contracts to American steamship lines trading between the United States and this country are some two million dollars a year.

Mr. ALBERY

Does this not constitute a very large subsidy to the detriment of British shipping?

Mr. SMITH

I think the point as to a subsidy is a fair deduction.