§ 17. Captain Ryderasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if his attention has been called to the resolution, a copy of which has been sent to him, passed by the United Kingdom Chamber of Shipping, calling on Her Majesty's Government to refrain from transactions involving flag discrimination; and what action the Government is taking to discourage practices of this sort which tend to increase shipping costs, and hinder the flow of trade.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe answer to the first part of the Question is " Yes, Sir." As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Holt) on 23rd March.
§ Captain RyderHas my right hon. Friend impressed upon the other Government Departments the fact that if the Government condone practices of this sort it is bound to encourage other countries to do the same, and will be greatly to the detriment of our own shipping interests as well as being liable to impede the trade of the free world?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe answer to which I sought to invite my hon. and gallant Friend's attention indicates the attitude of Her Majesty's Government in this matter.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCan the Minister at least assure us that no further purchases of American coal will take place upon this sort of flag discrimination basis?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI do not think that questions concerning purchases of coal are for me.
20. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent the practice of discrimination against the British Mercantile Marine is in operation; and if he will name the countries concerned.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Holt) on 23rd March.
Miss WardIs my right hon. Friend aware that our grand Mercantile Marine takes a very poor view of what is happening about this flag discrimination? Can we look to my right hon. Friend really to stand up in a big way for the rights of our Mercantile Marine?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI said " Yes, Sir."
§ Mr. CallaghanDoes the Minister appreciate that his rather evasive reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop) 349 about purchases of coal will cause concern, unless he amplifies it? Will he give an undertaking to the House that the Government will not in future enter into any bargains of this nature which involve, as part of the purchase price, the bringing in of coal in ships the chartering of which may cost more than the chartering of our own ships?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe hon. Member will appreciate from his own experience that I cannot answer questions which, if they are to be put at all, should properly be put to one of my right hon. Friends and not to me.
§ Captain RyderWill my right hon. Friend represent this case to other Government Departments? His Department is responsible for the interests of our merchant shipping.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am constantly in touch with my right hon. Friends upon this and other matters.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs it not the case that the Government ought to speak with one voice, whether or not they do so, and it really ought not to be a case of the Minister making representations to other Departments? He is in a position to give us an assurance, and unless he will give us an assurance the worst deductions will be drawn from his evasiveness. Does not he agree that the best possible practice in relation to any future purchases of coal or any other commodity would be that those who purchase should be free to charter ships in the best market?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo one who knows anything about the processes of administration would regard it as sensible or wise for one Minister to answer questions which should properly be put to another Minister. It may have happened under the previous Government, but it does not happen under this one.
21. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he is taking to protect the British Merchant Navy against discrimination by means of exporters of merchandise in foreign countries insisting on the use of their own ships for its transportation.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI try to support resistance to flag discrimination wherever it is met, but I am afraid I have no control over the actions of individual shippers.
Miss WardMay I ask my right hon. Friend once again if he will collect together all the Ministers responsible and make a great protest in support of the British Mercantile Marine and its rights in this matter?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIf my hon. Friend will study the answers which I have given upon several previous occasions in connection with this subject she will see that such a meeting would be wholly unnecessary.
§ Mr. HoltThe answers of the right hon. Gentleman are really very unsatisfactory. Does not he agree that this is essentially a matter for his Department? Will he at least give an undertaking that he will urge upon his right hon. Friends in the other Departments which deal with the supply of coal that they should not do this kind of thing in future?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIf the hon. Member will read the reply which I gave him a few days ago, he will see the answer to his question.