§ 66. Mr. MITCHESONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will supply figures showing what quantities or proportion of Empire dairy products imported into this country during 1933 were imported in British ships; and what quantities or proportion of dairy products from Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Holland and Argentina or, alternatively, from all foreign sources, were imported in British ships?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)Statistics of the kind desired are not normally available, but at the request of the Board of Trade a special investigation was made by the Board of Customs for February last. This showed that during that month imported dairy produce consigned from British countries was almost wholly carried in British ships, while of the total value of the imports of dairy produce consigned from foreign countries, 35 per cent, was carried in British ships.
§ 67. Mr. MITCHESONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number and tonnage of ships built since 1932, or now building, in British shipyards for the United Kingdom-New Zealand-Australian trade; and whether His Majesty's Government will, in connection with any proposals to restrict the importation of Empire foodstuffs after the expiry of the Ottawa Agreements, take into consideration the possible effect on shipping engaged on the Australian and New Zealand trade routes and on the British shipbuilding industry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI understand that 14 ships of approximately 166,000 tons gross have been built since 1932, or are now building in Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the trades to which my hon. Friend refers. As regards the second part of the question, all relevant considerations will be borne in mind.
§ 73. Mr. HALESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that out of 426 steamers delivering grain from overseas to the port of Hull during the last 12 months no fewer than 222 were foreign steamers; and what steps does he propose to take to ensure that the great proportion of goods purchased from abroad shall be carried in British steamers, having regard to the depression in British shipping at the present time?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have seen the statement referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements made by me in this House on the 3rd July and in Debate on the 10th July.