HC Deb 06 February 1934 vol 285 cc945-6
14. Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's policy in regard to a subsidy to the shipping industry?

30. Sir BASIL PETO

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the consideration of proposals of the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom to deal with the situation of the British mercantile marine have had such attention from the Government as will enable legislative proposals to be placed before the House before the Easter Recess?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I would refer the hon. Members to the answers which were given to the hon. Member for Salford, South (Mr. Stourton) on the 29th January and to the hon. and gallant Member for Paddington, South (Vice-Admiral Taylor) on the 30th January.

Mr. GRENFELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House as to whether it is his intention to lay this matter before the House?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If my hon. Friend will refer to the answers which I gave on the 29th and 30th January, he will see that I am unable to answer his question in the affirmative.

Sir B. PETO

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he recollects that on 13th December he informed the House that he was aware that the temper of the country had been aroused on this question and that the Government intended to proceed with care and rapidity to arrive at a solution; and whether he does not think that the time has now arrived, two months afterwards, if the Liverpool Steamer Owners' Association cannot agree with the Chamber of Shipping, when the Government should formulate their own policy in the national interest and proceed to put it into force?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am sorry, I cannot debate the matter at Question Time with my hon. Friend, but I would point out to him that we are following the programme which I outlined in December.

19. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cases brought to his notice in which a British shipowner has registered his ship abroad within the last two years, thus escaping payment of the unemployment insurance contribution in respect of the seamen employed by him?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

No such case has been brought to my notice.

Forward to