asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a company with foreign capital, or under foreign control, is being given rights of dredging in the River Mersey in areas which are at the present moment worked by existing local companies; and whether, in view of the un-desirability of this, he will take steps to secure that all such work is performed in British waters by British companies?

The Board of Trade have under consideration an application from a company, registered under the Companies Act, for a licence to carry on commercial dredging in the River Mersey. They would not be justified in refusing to issue the desired licence solely on account of any foreign interests that there may be in the company.

Since this is a vital area in the event of an emergency, could my right hon. Friend not reconsider this decision?

The company making the application is registered as a British company, and I have no information that it is under foreign control. There may be foreign interests connected with it, but I could not consider that, in itself, as a reason for refusing it a licence.

If I give my right hon. Friend evidence that the company is under foreign control, would he then reconsider this matter?

No, Sir, even that would not affect it.