§ 37. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to encourage imports into the United Kingdom in British ships, in view of the fact that more than half of such imports are now carried in foreign ships.
§ Mr. MarplesI do not consider that intervention by Her Majesty's Government in commercial transactions would be in the best interests of British shipping, nor have the General Council of British Shipping recommended action on these lines.
§ Mr. DigbyIs it not doubly undesirable that our ever-increasing imports should be carried in foreign ships? Will not my right hon. Friend consult with 1335 his right bon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade so that he can bear this in mind when concluding trade agreements?
§ Mr. MarplesI will bring up the topic when I discuss the matter with the Council of British Shipping, but I am bound to say that it is not one of their recommendations.
§ Mr. Hector HughesDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Government's policy relating to shipping and merchandise carried in shipping is detrimental to the shipping industry, and will he rectify it?
§ Mr. MarplesAll the nationalist countries which are emerging, such as India, want their own fleets and insist on carrying in them. It would be very difficult if we were to discriminate, say, against Indian shipping.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsWhen my right hon. Friend refers to conversations with the Chamber of Shipping, could he say where responsibility for this matter now lies? Is it with the Chamber of Shipping or with himself? If it is with himself, can he say when he will come to a conclusion on the matter?
§ Mr. MarplesWe can only come to a conclusion when we have agreed.