§ 9. Mr. Benjamin Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now taking any steps to ascertain the views of the Dominion Governments on the report of the Imperial Shipping Committee on British Shipping in the Orient in view of the committee's conclusion that the problem of competition from Japanese shipping is urgent and of sufficient importance to merit early and serious consideration by the Governments of the Empire?
§ Mr. StanleyHis Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have not yet completed their consideration of the report. Steps are being taken to ascertain the views of His Majesty's Governments in the other parts of the British Commonwealth concerned, to whom copies of the report have been supplied.
§ Mr. SmithAs this report has been in the hands of the Minister for a good many months, and a month ago he promised that he would look into the matter seriously on the point as to the Japanese taking the trade from this country through their intercourse with the Dominions, will the right hon. Gentleman expedite his report, and also get into communication with the Dominions, as recommended by the Committee?
§ Mr. StanleyI am in communication with the Dominions. The reason for the delay is due to the fact that we have been considering proposals of our own to assist the liner services, and we have to see how these proposals fit in with this report.