§ 14. Mr. P. Williamsasked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered a report sent to him by the Chamber of Shipping relating to its recent visit to Washington; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. MarplesThis was a private visit undertaken by representatives of the General Council of British Shipping. I do not expect a formal report but I shall be discussing the results of the visit with the General Council in the next few days.
§ Mr. WilliamsI wish that I could be as helpful this time. Is my right hon. Friend aware that it really is not good enough for the Government for ever to expect the Chamber of Shipping to do the task which should be done by the Ministry of Transport and the Government in making representations to the Americans about the harmful effect their shipping and trading policies are having on our shipping, and thereby our shipbuilding interests? The House should now be able to expect a statement from the Government on what their policies are and what they can do to help British shipping in relation to the Americans.
§ Mr. MarplesNow that we are back into the normal relationship, may I say that the representations of the Council of British Shipping are not in substitution for action by the Government but in addition to it. We and other Governments have also made formal representations about the effect of the Bonner Bill in the United States. I also wrote to our own shipping companies last December and prohibited the production of documents which in our view are outside the jurisdiction of the United States. My hon. Friend's supplementary question is based on a fallacy.
§ Mr. WilliamsCan my right hon. Friend tell me what success the Prime Minister has had in representations he has made?
§ Dame Irene WardI have that Question down for tomorrow.
§ Mr. Marples rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. On the assumption that what the hon. Lady says is accurate, I cannot allow the supplementary question.