§ 40. Mr. J. Howardasked the Minister of Transport whether he has studied the resolution passed by the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom on 22nd February, 1962, on the subject of Shipping and Government Action, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettYes, my right hon. Friend has studied the resolution and he agrees with it. He is in close and, indeed, almost continuous consultation with the General Council of British Shipping about these matters.
§ Mr. HowardDoes that mean that the Minister is taking immediate steps to take powers to counter discrimination before the whole of world shipping is infected by this particular brand of nationalism? Does not my hon. and gallant Friend agree that the very existence of these powers would at least discourage the United States Maritime Board from some of its present frightening activities?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettNo, Sir. We have never thought that the mere existence of powers would be as effective as my hon. Friend thinks. On the question of American legislation, I have nothing to add to what I said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams) a few minutes ago.
§ Mr. ShinwellWe have waited for years for some effective action to be taken. It is all very well making these mild protests to the Americans, but as they seem to do nothing about them, is it not time that we spoke to them in rather stronger terms?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettAs the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate, that is the reason why we have now had no less than three meetings of the European maritime nations. But these are exceedingly complex matters and this is not the sort of legislation one wishes to rush into without thinking very carefully of what the consequences will be.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the hon. Gentleman suggesting that the matter of flag discrimination is very complex? All the United States needs to do in order to remedy the position is to make the 1316 declaration that, in future, it will provide the same facilities for the other maritime nations of the world as it demands for itself. Is there anything so complex about that? That is precisely what we do. Why should the United States single itself out for preferential treatment?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI still would not agree that the matter is quite as simple as the right hon. Gentleman thinks. As we have pointed out in the last two debates on shipping, one of the difficulties is that this country has very much more to lose on most of the trade routes than it would gain by action which might be interpreted as being retaliatory.
§ Dame Irene WardCould we not think of some sort of retaliatory measure Without getting involved in actual shipping policy? Has my hon. and gallant Friend thought of suggesting to President Kennedy that, as we are letting him use Christmas Island for what he wants to do, the Americans might do something for us in return?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI assure my hon. Friend that we are, at any rate, doing a great deal of thinking on this matter. I would, none the less, deprecate the use of the word "retaliation" in this connection. What we prefer to think about is protective legislation.
§ Dame Irene WardStraight speaking is a good idea.