§ 4. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of passengers embarking and disembarking at the port of Southampton for the years 1929, 1932, 1935 and 1937; and what percentage of these passengers was carried by ships registered in this country and ships of foreign registration, respectively?
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley)As the answer involves a table of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisIs it not the case that foreign ships are carrying a great percentage of passengers to Southampton, and can the right hon. Gentleman say what is going to be done to safeguard British shipping interests?
§ Mr. StanleyThere is some difference in percentage in regard to non-Europeans travelling to continental countries.
Mr. J. J. DavidsonIs this preference for foreign ships due to the bombing of British ships in certain waters?
§ Following is the answer:
§ colonies; and whether, in view of the fact that this country gave a rebate of 3s. 5d. per cwt. on sugar from Mauritius which, in 1937, amounted to.£1,513,000, and that India imposes a duty of 20 per cent. on Lancashire textiles but gives no rebate to Mauritius, he will take steps to remedy this injustice to Lancashire textile producers?
7§ Mr. StanleyI am aware of the increase in exports of Indian cotton textiles to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer him to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Farnworth (Mr. Tomlinson) on 31st May.
§ 12. Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government, in view of the failure of the Lancashire-Indian trade talks, now intend to enter into direct negotiations with the Government of India?
§ Mr. StanleyYes, Sir. The question of cotton will be discussed in the course of the general negotiations with the Indian Delegation which have already been resumed.