§ 33. Mr. HALESasked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that 21 British military officers disembarked at Bombay on 8th August from the Lloyd Triestino steamship "Viktoria"; and whether, in view of the fact that British shipping companies have recently reduced their fares to the same level as Con- 1235 tinental companies, he will now issue instructions that British officials whose passages are paid out of public funds must travel on British steamships?
§ Sir S. HOAREI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Paddington North (Mr. Bracken) on 12th December, 1932.
§ Mr. HALESIs my right hon. Friend aware of the very serious proportions of this diversion of traffic, and that it is causing what is calculated to be a loss to the steamship companies of Great Britain of about £100,000 per annum; and is it not to all intents and purposes a subsidy by the British Government to foreign steamship lines?
§ Sir S. HOAREMy hon. Friend had better look at the answer I gave on the 12th December.
§ Mr. KIRKPATRICKWill my right hon. Friend apply the principle of be who pays the piper calls the tune?
§ Sir S. HOAREI could not hear that question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Rhys.