§ 19. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now given further consideration to the possibility of providing Government assistance to British shipping in the Pacific; whether he has all the information which he requires with regard to this problem; and whether there are to be any discussions between the Government of this country and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand with the object of working out some joint plan of action in this respect?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given on 8th April to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd).
§ Captain MACDONALDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since that time two British shipping companies have given notice to terminate their services in the Pacific owing to the fact that they cannot compete with the subsidised shipping of other countries, and will he in conjunction with the Dominion Governments take some action in the matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANDiscussions are proceeding between the Dominion Governments and ourselves on the subject now.
§ Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the desirability of denouncing the agreement with the United States of America providing for most-favoured-nation treatment in order to impose repressive duties upon American goods until they stop this sort of thing?