HC Deb 01 May 1958 vol 587 cc568-9
49. Mr. Peyton

asked the Prime Minister if he will establish, under the chairmanship of a Cabinet Minister, a committee consisting of representatives of the Treasury, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, the Admiralty and the shipping industry, to consider the problems now confronting British shipping, with particular reference to flags of convenience.

The Prime Minister

I do not think any new machinery is required. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is in close touch with the General Council of British Shipping. There are already arrangements for consideration between Departments of the problems confronting the British shipping industry and for consultation as necessary with the General Council of British Shipping. I am satisfied that these arrangements are adequate, although the problems are complex.

Mr. Peyton

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he will reconsider this matter in the light of the undoubted fact that no country in the world is so deeply dependent upon its merchant shipping, both commercially and strategically, as we are? Will he, in view of the tremendous development of the flags of convenience problem, consider whether it would not be wise to set up such a committee as is suggested in this Question, which I am sure would be very welcome to the industry?

The Prime Minister

I hope my hon. Friend will not misunderstand the character of my reply. It has never been the practice, and I would not like to deviate from it, to refer to any Committee of Ministers in this House or in any public statement, the only exception from long tradition being the Defence Committee of the Cabinet. Because, therefore, I do not wish to make a precise answer to the form of this Question, it does not mean that Ministers do not discuss this problem. It has never been our practice, and I would not like to deviate from what is a very old-standing rule, that no reference is ever made to a Committee of Ministers.

Mr. Shinwell

As there may be very sound reasons why the right hon. Gentleman should not create such a committee, could he arrange, perhaps through an inspired Question, to enable the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to make a statement on the Government's view about the future position of the shipping industry?

The Prime Minister

On this question of flags of convenience and other similar matters, discussions are going on between my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and the General Council. The General Council has not yet put forward to us its specific proposals. We understand that the Council is considering these proposals and as soon as we have them, we will be very happy to discuss them.