§ 2. Commander MARSDENasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to state the amount of expenditure incurred in concession passages between India and the United Kingdom for the 12 months ended 30th September last; and how much of the total amount was used for passages in ships flying the British flag?
§ Sir S. HOARE£405,739, of which £352,953 was used for passages in ships flying the British flag.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONCan my right hon. Friend now say what reply has been received from our Ambassador in Rome to the inquiries made of him regarding the prohibition against Italian 780 officials travelling by British ships and the compelling of them to travel in Italian bottoms?
§ Sir S. HOAREThat question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the proportion is increasing in our favour or is against us?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir, not without notice.
§ Mr. HALESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that British steamship lines have now reduced their fares to the same level as those of Continental lines and thus removed the chief objection to travel by British ships?