§ 17 and 18. Mr. Benceasked the Minister of Transport (1) what consideration has been given to the amendment of the North Atlantic Shipping Act to meet the new proposals submitted by the Cunard Company;
(2) what consideration has been given to the proposals by the Cunard Company to construct a replacement for the "Queen Mary" with financial assistance from Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarplesI refer the hon. Member to the Answer that I gave to him and other hon. Members on Wednesday, 24th July. In the circumstances, no question of the amendment of the North Atlantic Shipping Act arises.
§ Mr. BenceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in his statement he said that nevertheless the Government have been anxious to consider all reasonable means of bringing a new and modern British ship into this important service? Will the right hon. Gentleman take the initiative to give expression to that anxiety and fulfil a pledge made at the General Election of 1959? Will he get in touch with the Cunard Company and see whether it is possible to come to terms, if not within the framework of the North Atlantic Shipping Act, then under an amended Act to meet new terms which can be agreed with Cunards?
§ Mr. MarplesThe question asked is whether I will amend the North Atlantic Shipping Act. The answer is "No", because the 1961 Act was tailored to fit the Q3 proposal which came from the Cunard Company. We honoured our election pledge. We gave terms which the company wanted, which it asked for and to which it agreed. It subsequently decided not to accept them. That was not our fault as a Government. The decision was taken by the Cunard Company. I do not blame it for that, but, having so decided, it cannot say that we have not kept our part of the bargain. We did keep our part of the bargain.
§ Mr. McMasterIs my right hon. Friend aware of the great subsidies given by the United States, France, and Italy to passenger services on the North Atlantic run? Is he further aware of the large hole which will be created in the £60 million he so proudly announced if the Cunard Company is to rely on this alone for assistance?
§ Mr. MarplesThe Cunard Company, if it wishes to apply for money under the recent scheme I announced, must go to the Committee under Lord Piercy and put its proposals before it. The proposal will then be considered on its merits, in the same way as any other proposal will be considered. As regards other countries subsidising their ships, if they decide to subsidise something which they think is in the national interest, we must look at our position and not necessarily be moved by what they have decided.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsMost people who have the interests of all British shipping and not just one company at heart are pleased that the Government have taken the decision to allow Cunard to come into the scheme on equal terms with everyone else.
§ Mr. MarplesI am sure that that is so. Every company which runs ships should have access to the scheme on equal terms. The point is that it will be extremely difficult to distinguish between different companies. If we give extra favours to one company the other companies will be peeved.
§ Mr. BenceThe right hon. Gentleman said that he was anxious to maintain this service in the North Atlantic. Will he, therefore, open negotiations with the Cunard Company to see whether some amicable arrangement can be made?
§ Mr. MarplesAs I have said several times, if Cunard have another proposal, we shall keep an open mind and consider it. If I may say so, it is silly of the hon. Gentleman to think that somebody who is running a shipping company does not know his business better than any Government Department does. If the company wants any terms, and if it has any proposals, the initiative lies with the company to make them known.