§ 5. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Minister of Shipping whether the fullest consideration was given when the terms of payment for requisitioning were fixed, to the necessity of British shipping being in a strong financial position on the termination of hostilities, to enable them successfully to compete with foreign shipping?
§ The Minister of Shipping (Mr. R. S. Hudson)Yes, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements on this subject which were made by my predecessor and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary during the course of the Debate on Shipping on 18th March last.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether the requisitioning rate will give ship-owners a sufficient amount to enable them to build up their reserve for replacement, and at the same time give them a reasonable return on their capital?
§ Mr. HudsonI think that is a point which must be present in all our minds when we are negotiating these details.
§ 7. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Shipping whether he can now make a statement on the negotiations in connection with the rates for hire of requisitioned vessels?
§ Mr. HudsonProposals resulting from negotiations with the representative bodies were recently put before their constituent members and are now under their consideration.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs not the case that an agreement has been reached with the liner companies; and cannot hon. Members be informed of the terms of that agreement?
§ Mr. HudsonBriefly the position is that the cargo liner companies have expressed their agreement in principle but there are subsidiary details, which are still being negotiated.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is highly undesirable to have discontent in the shipping industry over this matter and that it is highly desirable to have a speedy termination of these negotiations?
§ Mr. HudsonYes, Sir, I am doing and will do everything in my power to see that they are concluded as quickly as possible.
§ 9. Mr. Denvilleasked the Minister of Shipping whether he can now give an answer to the letter from the hon. Member for Newcastle, Central, dated 12th February, 1940, on the subject of compensation to traders on the requisitioning of ships?
§ Mr. HudsonAs I have informed my hon. Friend, the issues which he raised affect other Departments besides the Ministry of Shipping. They are at present under active consideration.
§ Mr. DenvilleWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that this is a very urgent matter, to save certain ship-owners from going bankrupt?
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs compensation to traders for the requisitioning of ships to be comparable with the compensation which is given to the working class of this country whose sons have been commandeered for the Army?
§ Mr. HudsonThe question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Central Newcastle (Mr. Denville) had reference to increased charges for certain goods caused by vessels being diverted from one port to another.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs it the case that more value is being attached to ships than to human lives?
§ Mr. HudsonThat is not so.