(for Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the difficulties caused to British merchant shipping and exporting industries by the policy of the Suez Canal Company in relation to British trade; and will he consider reconstituting the official British membership of the Suez Canal Company Board at an early opportunity so as to give better protection to British interests?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to similar questions on this subject on Tuesday last, and of which I am sending him a, copy.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this system of having two sets of directors, official and trade directors, results in the trade representa- tion on the Suez Canal Board being weaker than it would otherwise be?

No, Sir.