§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that at present about 40 per cent. of the dues collected from ships passing through the Suez Canal is spent on upkeep, depreciation, and improvement of the canal, and that the remaining 60 per cent, of the dues is distributed as dividends and bonuses; that the dues represent from 6 to 20 per cent. of the freight of European cargoes to the East; and whether, seeing that about 43 per cent. of the capital is held by the British Government what action the Government propose to take in the interests of British trade?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHI have been asked to reply. I cannot at present add anything to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 19th February to the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Sir B. Peto).