HC Deb 12 April 1934 vol 288 cc481-2
53. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLIS

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet in possession of the information required by him from the shipping industry to enable the Government to decide upon a policy which will protect shipping from the competition of foreign shipping subsidies?

54. Mr. TEMPLE MORRIS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make any statement as to Government assistance to the British Mercantile Marine?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have received a great deal of information from the shipping industry, but I cannot at present add to the answer which I gave on this subject on the 6th March.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is the right hon. Gentleman contemplating the use of the tariff weapon on goods coming from countries which indulge in shipping subsidies?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Every aspect of the shipping problem is under consideration.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

When the right hon. Gentleman is considering a subsidy to the shipping industry, will he bear in mind the Lancashire cotton textile industry?

Sir BASIL PETO

Are we likely to have any legislation in regard to this urgent question before Parliament adjourns for the Summer Recess?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I cannot say at this stage whether it will be necessary to have any legislation. There are other ways of dealing with these problems. The problems have so many aspects that I am afraid I cannot give any indication in regard to legislation at this moment.

Mr. MAXTON

If the Government are not prepared to introduce legislation, when do they propose to do some of the other things that the President of the Board of Trade knows about?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

They are doing something now.

Mr. MAXTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what they are doing?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If the hon. Member cares to put down a question, I shall be delighted to answer it.

Mr. MAXTON

Why waste time? Why cannot the right hon. Gentleman tell us now?