§ 13. Mr. Robert Gibsonasked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of cargo loaded in the United Kingdom during the last year from British-owned and Dutch-owned tramp steamers, respectively?
§ Mr. StanleyI regret that the information in the form desired by the hon. and learned Member is not available. Particulars are available of the aggregate value of merchandise imported and exported in British and Dutch vessels of all kinds, but excluding the coasting trade. I am circulating the figures for 1937 in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a very big increase in recent years in the coastwise trade in Britain that is being carried in Dutch ships; and is he aware that a Greenock firm has, for the first time in 8o years, no fewer than nine ships out of a fleet of 13 laid up; and will he do something to alter the balance, so that more of the coastwise traffic can be carried in British, and, particularly in Scottish ships?
§ Mr. StanleyAs a matter of fact, the percentage of coastwise traffic is very small, but I would point out to the hon. and learned Gentleman that his question was addressed to the tramp steamer service, which is different from the coastwise service.
§ Mr. GibsonIs not a great deal of that traffic carried in tramp ships?
§ Mr. StanleyI can certainly give whatever figures the hon. and learned Gentleman wishes with regard to coastal traffic, if that was what he intended by his question.
§ Mr. MarkhamCan the right hon. Gentleman give the percentage of Dutch-carried traffic?
§ Mr. StanleyNo, Sir, not at the moment.
§ Following are the figures:
| Merchandise (excluding parcel Post). | Carried in vessels of | |
| British nationality. | Dutch nationality. | |
| £'ooo. | £'ooo. | |
| Imports into the United Kingdom. | 686,312 | 44,133 |
| Exports from the United Kingdom: United Kingdom goods | 401,413 | 15,747 |
| Imported merchandise. | 39,137 | 1,680 |