§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships and of what total tonnage were laid up in the Holy Loch, the Gareloch, and elsewhere on the Clyde, respectively, on 3oth April, 1938, or other latest dates, and on the corresponding date in each of the two preceding years; what are the corresponding figures for Great Britain and the rest of the world, respectively; and if he has any statement to make on the subject?
§ Captain Wallace:No general statement on the question of laid-up tonnage could be made within the limits of a Parliamentary question.
The following table shows the information asked for by the hon. and learned Member so far as it is available from the returns of laid-up tonnage published by the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom.
make representations to the Colombian Government on this matter in order to protect the interests of the Lancashire cotton trade?
§ Captain Wallace:I am aware that the Colombian authorities have suspended the issue of further import licences for cotton fabrics. Exports of cotton piece goods of all kinds from the United Kingdom 1605W to Colombia in 1937 were valued at £1,477,616. As regards the last part of the question, the Colombian Government denounced on the 1st March the Anglo-Colombian Treaty of Commerce and the whole subject of commercial relations with Colombia is receiving active consideration.