HC Deb 28 July 1936 vol 315 cc1287-8
7. Colonel ROPNER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a proposal by the Brighton Corporation to build two collier ships; and whether, in view of the undesirability in the national interest for local authorities to enter the field of shipping, bearing in mind the distress in which British shipping stands to-day, he will confer with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Transport upon the matter?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I was not aware of this proposal, but it is not unusual for municipalities and private undertakings with large shipping requirements to own their own vessels. So far as concerns the Board of Trade, I am not aware of any sufficient grounds upon which the proposal could be resisted.

Mr. LOUIS SMITH

Having regard to the fact that the cost of dealing with such schemes by municipalities is generally very much more than by taking advantage of private enterprise, will the right hon. Gentleman take any steps that are possible to protect the interests of ratepayers?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it not possible to have a tax on fresh air?