§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent British ships have been affected by the United States law requiring 50 per cent. of all Government imports to be carried in United States ships; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe application of the United States 50 per cent. cargo preference law to strategic and other imports by the United States Government restricts the opportunities of British shipping to earn foreign currency and thus to improve our balance of payments position. It is not possible to estimate directly the losses sustained in this way but a particularly damaging effect is the example given to other countries to apply discriminatory practices to ordinary commercial cargoes.
§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what recent representations he has made to the United States of America concerning the 50 per cent. cargo law as it affects British ships; and whether he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. WatkinsonRepresentations were made in 1954 when the United States Cargo Preference Act was before Congress. Since then we have lost no opportunity to remind the Americans of our views on this matter.