§ 25. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement about his visit to the United States of America; and what discussion he had with regard to nuclear marine propulsion.
§ 37. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Transport the nature of his discussions with representative shipping interests in the United States of America; and what conclusions were reached.
§ Mr. MarplesMy talks were with the United States Government officials and were purely informal. The primary object was to acquaint myself at first hand with their views on shipping policy, and at the same time to reiterate the continuing concern of this country over certain aspects of the United States shipping policy. I emphasised the contrast between the policies of world trade liberalisation advocated by the United States and her restrictive practices in shipping.
I also took advantage of being in Washington to hear for myself from the United States Government something of the progress they are making in the design and construction of nuclear merchant ships.
§ Mr. ShinwellDo I understand that that is all that happened during these conversations with American shipping interests and the American Government on this very important matter of the decline of British shipping and the 996 restrictive practices operated by American shipping interests? How long are we to put up with this sort of thing from the United States? Do they regard it as an effective partnership with the United Kingdom, when everything is being done by their shipping interests, endorsed by the American Government, to destroy British shipping? Is no further action to be taken? Are we to take this sort of thing lying down?
§ Mr. MarplesI did not conduct, nor did I intend to conduct, direct negotiations. The whole of the European countries are acting together and it would have been wrong of me to have gone in as a representative of this country and initiated talks myself. This is being done collectively and it will be more fruitful because of that.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the American shipowners have made a pronouncement that they reject the representations made by the European and other maritime countries outside the United States? That has appeared recently in the Press. If the right hon. Gentleman denies that, will he tell us what is the present position?
§ Mr. MarplesI have not seen it in the Press. If the right hon. Gentleman will send me a copy of it, I will look into the matter. This is the first I have heard about it. So far as I know, there will be informal discussions very shortly.