§ 10. Colonel Ropnerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Government of the United States of America intends to subsidise the construction of a fleet of 95 vessels by a grant of £32,000,000 in addition to a substantial sum from the Maritime Commission's revolving fund of £40,800,000; and whether, as this action is inconsistent with a policy of either freer or fair trade between this country and the United States of America, he will so inform the Government of the United States of America or consider the advisability of making an equal grant to that section of the British mercantile marine which will suffer most from this form of economic nationalism?
Mr. StanleyI have seen recent statements in the Press in the sense of the first part of the question, but I have not yet received official information. With regard to the second part, the position will be watched but I am not at present prepared to express any view on the matter.