§ Sir A. Wilsonasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what average proportions of Suez Canal dues have been paid during the past three years by shipping of the five principal countries using the canal?
§ Mr. CrossI have been asked to reply. The average proportions of Suez Canal tonnage dues paid by ships of each of the five principal flags using the canal have been calculated for the three years 1935 to 1937 as follows, from information published by the Suez Canal Company:
British … … … 46.9 Italian … … … 17.5 German … … … 9.3 Dutch … … … 7.5 French … … … 5.5
§ Mr. Thorneasked the President of the Board of Trade when the shipping dues on ships passing through the Suez Canal were last reduced; what were the dues per ton in 1937 and what are they now; and what effect the lowering of dues by Is. per ton would have upon the revenue?
§ Mr. CrossSuez Canal dues were last reduced as from 15th December. The 2485W dues are now 5s. 9d. per ton for vessels with cargo, and 2s. 10½d. per ton for vessels in ballast, compared with 7s. 6d. and 3s. 9d. respectively at the beginning of 1937.
With regard to the last part of the question, I fear I cannot undertake any estimate.