§ 17. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make any statement as to the form of assistance which it is proposed to give to the British shipping industry in order to enable it to compete with foreign shipping subsidies?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which were given to the hon. Member for Salford, South (Mr. Stourton) on 29th January and to the hon. and gallant Member for Paddington, South (Vice-Admiral Taylor) on 30th January.
§ Captain HAROLD BALFOURHas my right hon. Friend yet received that information from the shipping people to whom he referred in his previous answers?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, communications have been passing between the shipping organisations and the Board of Trade. I received a communication yesterday, or on Saturday, I think it was, from the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association and the Chamber of Shipping jointly, and their statement is now under examination.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEWhen will my right hon. Friend be in a position to make a further statement?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot name a date at present.
§ 19. Mr. RANKINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will represent to the oil importing industries that they should consider the employment of British instead of foreign ships for the transport of oil; and how many such foreign ships are now being used regularly by the oil importing industries?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have no reason to think that the oil importing industries are not fully aware of the present posi- 918 tion of British shipping and of the desirability of giving it all possible support. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is not available.
§ 29. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Health whether he will make representations to all local authorities as to the desirability of ensuring that all materials purchased by them or supplied under contract are, whenever their transport involves the use of coastwise or other shipping, carried in British ships?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)My right hon. Friend hopes that local authorities in all cases where it is practicable will make use of British goods and services, whether shipping or otherwise, in providing for the requirements of the areas for which they are responsible.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEIs my hon. Friend aware that very large quantities of such materials as granite and stone are being conveyed in foreign-owned vessels down the British coast?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThat may be, but my information is that the bulk of the materials used for house building are home produced.