HC Deb 06 March 1934 vol 286 cc1625-6
2. Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give any details of the Government scheme for subsidising tramp shipping?

8. 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 indus- try to enable the Government to decide upon a policy which will free British shipping from the competition of foreign shipping subsidies?

10. Mr. STOREY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the joint recommendations of the Chamber of Shipping and the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association; and if he can now state what steps he proposes to take to assist British shipping to meet uneconomic competition?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)

The position of British shipping is under the consideration of the Government in consultation with the shipping industry and I cannot at present add to the replies I have already made on the subject.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

Would the right hon. Gentleman say if there is no truth in the statement which has been made in the Press that £3,000,000 has been granted by the Government to the shipping industry?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

No, Sir, nothing has been said.

Mr. CRAVEN-ELLIS

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication as to how long the shipping industry will have to wait before some view of the Government is given as to the position of the industry?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am afraid my hon. Friend has got it the wrong way round. The shipping industry is not waiting on the Government; the Government are waiting for the last reply of the shipping industry to inquiries which have been made.

Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the use of coercive tariff measures before a subsidy?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Do the Government intend to subsidise tramp shipping?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I cannot announce any decision on that point.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has had the reply.