4. Miss Wardasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the necessary legislation to give effect to the Government's proposals for British shipping, he proposes to make any subsidy retrospective?
§ 13. Mr. Storeyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make any statement with regard to his proposal to make an annual grant of £2,750,000 to tramp shipping; and when the first payments under this scheme will be made?
18 and 19. Captain Arthur Evansasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he can now say at what rate, under what conditions, and in what circumstances a subsidy will be payable in respect of voyages of tramp ships;
(2) whether he is aware that the announcement by the Government of its intention to assist tramp shipping has made international co-operation in the shipping industry more difficult, in spite of the fact that no financial help has yet been given to British vessels; and whether he will introduce at an early date the necessary legislation to authorise the payment of a subsidy?
§ Mr. StanleyLegislation will be introduced and full details of the schemes will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible.
Miss WardWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in normal circumstances the legislation would probably have been introduced earlier; and will he give consideration to the possibility of making the subsidy retrospective?
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennIs the right hon. Gentleman at the present time making promises or gifts of public money without any statutory authority?
§ Mr. GallacherIs there any intention, when the Bill is introduced, of providing a subsidy for old age pensioners?