HC Deb 24 November 1932 vol 272 cc220-1
12. Miss WARD

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider, in order to facilitate the completion of the Cunard Company's ship under construction, the advisability of issuing special bonds to the public secured on the ship?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

If the suggestion of my hon. Friend is that the Treasury should issue the bonds in question, the answer is in the negative.

Miss WARD

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think a policy on these lines might commend itself to the Cunard Company?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think the Cunard Company can issue Treasury bonds.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Seeing that the ship is being built in my constituency, have not the Cabinet yet considered the advisability of subsidising it in order to give a fillip not only to shipbuilding and engineering, but to the trade of the country?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I understand the question to refer to the issue of bonds.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the majority of Members of the House are in favour of the Cabinet coming to the assistance of the building of this ship?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is not the question on the Paper.