§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the President of the Board of Trade how many British shipping companies were operating in the Pacific Ocean on 31st December, 1930, 1934, and 1938, respectively, or other approximate convenient dates; and how many vessels, and aggregate tonnage and total personnel, British and non-British, respectively, were engaged there at the said dates; and whether he is taking any steps towards improving the present position?
Mr. StanleyThe particulars asked for in the first two parts of the question are not available. The position of British shipping in the Orient has been referred to the Imperial Shipping Committee, whose report is awaited. The position of British liner shipping between the West Coast of North America and Australia and New Zealand is under consideration by those Governments of the British Commonwealth concerned.