§ 24. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the report of the council of the Mercantile Marine Association, which discloses that one-sixth of our mercantile fleet lay idle in British ports in 1931 while 66,000 seamen of all grades were unemployed, his department will do all that is possible to encourage the Crown Colonies to reserve their requirements for British trade and shipping?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)It has been the long-established policy of the Colonial Office to encourage Colonial Governments to obtain their supplies from British sources, and of the Crown Agents for the Colonies to employ British shipping for the transport of supplies to the Colonies. The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that my Department will continue to pursue that policy.
§ Commander MARSDENDo all Government passages have to be made in British ships?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, always, if a British ship is available.