HC Deb 02 July 1935 vol 303 cc1679-80
1. Mr. DAVID WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount of the shipping subsidy paid out to date, giving the names of the shipowners, the port of destination, and the amounts in each case?

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

A total sum of £348,363 has been paid out to shipowners in respect of claims for voyages completed in the first quarter of the year. With regard to the remainder of the question, I am considering in what form information regarding the distribution of the Tramp Shipping Subsidy should be published, but as regards the payments made to date I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 9–14 of the Subsidy Scheme (Cmd. 4754), from which he will see that those payments are of an interim character and will be subject to adjustment at the end of the year.

6. Miss WARD

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the agreement to carry three officers in ships over 2,750 tons is an operative agreement which must be kept in order to qualify for a subsidy under the Government's tramp shipping scheme?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am in communication with the National Maritime Board with a view to ascertaining whether there is any operative agreement regarding the number of deck officers to be carried on board ship.

Miss WARD

Can my right hon. Friend inform the House when he will have the information?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If a further question is put down, I hope to be able to give an answer next week.

Mr. NEIL MACLEAN

Is not a record of the agreement sent to the Board of Trade in order that it may be recorded there?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The question I was asked was as to the operative agreement, and I have given the only information I can give with regard to the operative agreement.

Mr. MACLEAN

But is it not the rule of the Board of Trade that there must be three officers? I think that is the sense of the question. Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that is so or not?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Will the Tight hon. Gentleman see to it that the firms which get the subsidy conform to the regulations laid down by the Maritime Board?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

That is another question. That is already provided for in the arrangement.

Mr. MACLEAN

May I have a reply to my supplementary question?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I cannot reply to that question. It is not the question on the Paper.

Miss WARD

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a suitable agreement to be operative between the two parties concerned?