§ 52 and 53. Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what percentage of goods, in tons, imported into Britain from foreign countries during the past 12 months was carried in British bottoms;
1818 (2) what percentage of goods, in tons, imported into Britain from the Empire during the past 12 months was carried in British bottoms?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I regret that the desired information is not available.
§ Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYMay I ask what steps the Government are taking to increase the quantities of imports that are carried by British as opposed to foreign ships?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANPerhaps I had better answer my hon. Friend's question in a. different form. During the year 1932, of the net tonnage of vessels that entered with cargo at ports in the United Kingdom from the Empire, the proportion of British vessels was 92 per cent. The British proportion of such tonnage from foreign countries was 49.7 per cent.