§ 39. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he receives notification of requirements for materials needed by the Suez Canal Company and, if so, through what channel; whether he circulates the 1585 notifications among British exporting firms; whether the notifications are in French and/or English; and if only in French does his Department translate the notifications before circulation?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but I understand that the company possesses an extensive list of representative firms in England to whom they write direct when they invite tenders for various materials. The second, third and fourth parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.
§ Mr. SAMUELOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the question on the Board of Trade Vote.
§ 66. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will ascertain from the British Government directors of the Suez Canal Company what was the average percentage ingredient cost on the inward and outward transit dues in the freights of shipping using the canal as at 1st May, 1931?
§ Mr. SMITHThe British Government directors on the Suez Canal Company would not be in a position to furnish the information requested, but according to the annual report of the Liverpool Steam Ship Owners' Association for 1930, on the basis of the then existing level of dues and freights, the Suez Canal Company's charges amounted on an average to 13 per cent. of the gross freights outwards and inwards.
§ 67. Mr. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade the proportion of British tonage to all tonnage of shipping passing through the Suez Canal during 1930; the proportion of the British Government's holding of shares in the Suez Canal; and the proportion of purchases by the Suez Canal Company during 1930 of stores and materials from British firms?
§ Mr. SMITHBritish tonnage passing through the Canal in 1930 was 56 per cent. of the total tonnage of shipping in transit. The proportion of the ordinary shares of the Suez Canal Company held by His Majesty's Government is about 44 per cent. As regards the last part of the question, the information is not available, but I will see how far it may be possible to obtain it.