Mr. T. MORRISasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that during the first 10 months of this year the percentage of British shipping entering the ports of the United Kingdom was only 57.7 per cent. of the total, as compared with 58.6 per cent. and 60.2 per cent. for the corresponding periods of 1933 and 1932, respectively, and that similar percentages for British shipping leaving United Kingdom ports are 60.4 per cent., 61 per cent., and 63.5 per cent., respectively; whether he can give reasons for the decline; and whether he proposes to take any steps to counteract it?
§ Dr. BURGINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Government proposals for assisting British shipping which are now before the House.