Mr. CHANCELLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the British Consul at the port of Hamburg reported that, for the year 1906–7 the tonnage of Hamburg showed an increase of 1,001,461 tons, and that during the same period the tonnage of London decreased by 303,877 tons; will he say what have been the respective increases or 449W decreases of tonnage at the two ports in each year since up to the outbreak of war; and has he any explanation of the results shown?
Sir A. STANLEYThe following table shows the aggregate tonnage of shipping entered in both foreign and coastwise trade at London and at Hamburg in each year from 1906 to 1913, inclusive, together with the annual increase or decrease of tonnage at the two ports, respectively:
Year. LONDON. HAMBURG. Tonnage entered with Cargoes and in Ballast. Increase (+) or Decrease (-) compared with previous year. Tonnage entered with Cargoes and in Ballast. Increase (+) or Decrease (-) compared with previous year. Net Tons. Net Tons. Net Tons. Net Tons. 1906 … 17,596,315 — 11,039,000 — 1907 … 17,292,438 - 303,877 12,040,461 + 1,001,461 1908 … 17,355,710 + 63,272 11,914,250 - 126,211 1909 … 18,075,623 + 719,913 12,184;268 + 270,018 1910 … 18,631,339 + 555,716 12,656,281 + 472,013 1911 … 18,472,812 - 158,527* 13,176,469 + 520,188 1912 … 16,561,994 - 1,910,818† 13,567,913 + 391,444 1913 … 17,921,456 + 1,359,462 14,241,894 + 673,981 * Year of the Transport Workers' strike. †Year of the Coal Miners' strike. The causes that have affected the growth of the tonnage using the two ports are many and various, and could not be dealt with satisfactorily in answer to a question.