§ Mr. Dayasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the dues levied for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date on loaded vessels and/or vessels in ballast paid to the Suez Canal Company by British subjects; and whether any records are kept by his Department during the same period showing purchases from British subjects on materials required for the use of the Suez Canal Company?
Mr. StanleyThe information published by the Suez Canal Company does not1074W show the amount of the dues paid by British merchant vessels, but from particulars of tonnage passing through the Canal published by the company it is estimated that during the year 1936 the dues paid by such vessels, with cargo and in ballast, would amount to nearly £5,000,000, exclusive of dues paid in respect of passengers. With regard to the second part of the question, I am not in a position to state the value of the purchases made from British subjects of materials required for the use of the Suez Canal Company, but I am communicating with the company to ascertain what particulars may be available for publication.