HC Deb 05 May 1936 vol 311 c1502
3. Captain P. MACDONALD

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information showing to what extent foreign competition with British coastal shipping has increased or decreased during the past 12 months?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Of the aggregate tonnage of the vessels, including their repeated voyages, that arrived and departed with cargoes in the coasting trade of the United Kingdom, foreign tonnage represented 1.3 per cent. in the year ended 31st March, 1936, as compared with 0.8 per cent. in the preceding 12 months.

Mr. H. G. WILLIAMS

In view of the numerous complaints that are made, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these statistics actually represent the position?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

As far as I can tell, they do, but I have been doing my best to alter the method of the statistics so that we may get the tonnage actually handled as well as the nominal entries.