§ 39. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade what form of assistance the Government is now prepared to give the tramp shipping industry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Storey) on 5th June.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWhat is the right hon. Gentleman going to do with the present position—the position which has arisen since he gave his reply to the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Storey)?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo new facts have emerged. This is not the only section of British shipping which has to be dealt with, and we must survey the whole subject and not one section of it.
§ Sir BASIL PETOHave the Government yet been able to make up their minds on basic question as to whether the Mercantile Marine is worth saving, or whether it had better be scrapped?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI think my hon. Friend may rest assured that we attach very high value to the Mercantile Marine of this country.
§ Sir B. PETOMay I take it then from that answer that the Government intend to do something to preserve it some day?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDid the right hon. Gentleman not see the inspired article in the "Times" last week, in which it was suggested that, unless the Government did something, it would be necessary to revise the wages of the workers employed in this job?