§ 31. Mr. J. R. H. Hutchisonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what current representations are being made to foreign countries who are following a policy of flag discrimination.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterHer Majesty's Government continue to press by every means for freedom for our shipping to engage in trade in free and fair competition, but it would not be in the public interest to give particular cases which are the subject of current representations.
§ Mr. HutchisonIn view of the damaging effect which flag discrimination has on British shipping, one of our most important invisible exports, will my right hon. Friend take a tough line with the many nations seeking increasingly to damage our shipping in this way, contrary, as I understand it, to the spirit of G.A.T.T.?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI fully agree with my hon. Friend that this is a most serious matter for our shipping, and, as this and previous Answers have indicated, the Government take it very seriously and are doing their best to check it.
§ Mr. BenceIs the Minister aware that quite recently the President of the Clyde Shipowners' Association made a statement to the effect that the British percentage of the world total of dry cargo shipping has fallen considerably, and that this may have very serious consequences?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAny matter affecting the availabilty of tonnage is important, and I agree with the hon. Gentleman that flag discrimination can affect it.