HC Deb 04 November 1937 vol 328 cc1144-5W
Mr. Moreing

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the position as regards underwriters quoting war risk for vessels going to Shanghai or Woosung; and if he is aware that British merchants in Shanghai are seriously handicapped in doing business by the prohibitive rates quoted?

Captain Wallace

I am informed that underwriters are granting freely war risks insurance on vessels going to Shanghai and Woosung and on their cargoes, other than war material. The insurance on cargo is at present limited to the period during which it is on board the oceangoing vessel, but I understand that underwriters are considering whether it is possible to assist shippers by extending the scope of the existing cover.

Mr. Moreing

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether British shipping, other than coastwise vessels, is calling at Woosung for Shanghai; if he is aware that the commander-in-chief at Shanghai specified over a month ago hours and localities in which he considered it safe for British ships to anchor and that there would be no difficulty in lightering cargo between Woosung and Shanghai; and if he will point out to British shipowners the serious damage that is being done to British trade by their delay in resuming the sending of ships to Woosung?

Captain Wallace

According to my information, some British ocean-going vessels are making calls at Woosung. A report received at the end of September from the British naval authorities in China indicated that ships should navigate the Yang-tze-kiang preferably in daylight and should anchor at Woosung between certain buoys, and this information was duly

Area. Factories opened in * Employment provided by factories opened in Factories extended in
1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936.
Great Britain 467 520 514 551 31,700 46,550 63,750 53,000 109 151 201 201
Of which in the Special Areas:
Scotland 3 5 2 6 150 370 210 200 — — 2 1
Durham 1 2 1 1 70 90 30 900 1 1 — —
Tyneside 5 3 1 5 340 150 50 220 — 2 4 3
W. Cumberland 1 1 — 1 160 30 — 30 1 — 1 —
S. Wales 1 — — — 120 — — — — — — —
* The figures represent the employment provided at the 31st December in the year following the establishment of the factory, except for factories established in 1936, where employment as at 31st December, 1936, is shown.