§ 37. Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the decrease in the demand for British cargo shipping; to what causes he attributes the decrease; and what action he proposes to take to remedy it.
§ Mr. WatkinsonYes Sir. The decline during the past year in dry cargo freight rates has affected shipping throughout the world. It is not the Government's policy to interfere in the commercial operation of shipping, but I am watching the position very closely.
§ Mr. McKayIs the Minister aware that influential people in my constituency have been suggesting that imports by the Coal Board should be restricted to British shipping? Would not this be a bad principle to adopt, not only for the Coal Board but for the nation's general shipping?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe principle on which British shipping has founded its prosperity in the past, as the hon. Member knows, is that we gain more out of freedom of trade and freedom of the seas than any other nation.