§ 18. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that of the entrances from and clearances to European ports, out of 17,800,000 tons of shipping using United Kingdom ports in the first four months of this year, no less than 9,530,000 tons, or 53½ per cent. was foreign; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the British share of shipping using United Kingdom ports?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)Yes, 163 Sir, and I should perhaps draw my hon. Friend's attention to the fact that the corresponding percentage for foreign vessels for the year 1913 was 52.8 per cent. and, therefore, only slightly less than the percentage for the first four months of this year. The question of assisting British shipping is under the urgent consideration of the Government.