HC Deb 16 May 1939 vol 347 cc1174-5
20. Mr. De la Bère

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the large percentage of coastwise traffic which is carried by foreign vessels; and whether he can introduce legislation to ensure the increased employment of British vessels and British crews in this coastwise traffic in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Stanley

The share of foreign vessels in the United Kingdom coastwise trade, as measured by arrivals and departures of vessels with cargo, was less than 2 per cent. in 1938 and the first four months of 1939, but the incidence of foreign competition is greater in some trades and in some areas than in others. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 9th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne) regarding British shipping in the coasting trade.

Mr. De la Bère

Does my right hon. Friend really mean to tell the House that only 2 per cent. of the coastwise trade is carried by foreign ships?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, it is a fact.

Mr. De la Bère

With the greatest respect to my right hon. Friend I say that he is labouring under some delusion.

Mr. Shinwell

Has the right hon. Gentleman not given the average percentage, and does he not agree that in certain coastwise trades there is a very high percentage of foreign vessels engaged?

Mr. Stanley

I would not agree that it was very high, but I agree that it is higher than the average, and that is the reason why I put in my answer that foreign competition is greater in some trades and in some areas than in others.

Mr. Benjamin Smith

Is it not a fact that it is 13 per cent. if the passenger coastwise trade is eliminated?

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir, not so much as that.

Mr. De la Bère

May I ask the Board of Trade not to take the line of least resistance, but really to give us some accurate figures?

Mr. Stanley

I do not think I have taken the line of least resistance. I have given the hon. Member accurate figures. If his question was so framed that he did not get the figures he wanted, perhaps he will put another question down on another day.