§ 52. Colonel ROPNERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the proportion of British tonnage to world tonnage shows a steady decline: and whether the question of the competition of foreign ships which receive Government subsidies will be a sub- 1696 ject for discussion at the World Economic Conference?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the shipping combines of this country to stop them from selling ships that will not pass Lloyd's examiners to Greece and other countries, to be used in competing against firms who have to keep up to the standards of Lloyd's, Veritas, and the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIn every case in which a ship is sold from the British register to a foreign register, a permit from the Board of Trade is required, and each case is examined on its merits.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODSo that the President of the Board of Trade takes the responsibility for the great number of British ships, obsolete as far as the British Board of Trade examination is concerned, which are being placed in a position to compete with this country? He has saddled himself with that responsibility; that is what he has said.