HC Deb 15 March 1944 vol 398 cc209-10
1. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what improve- ment in shipping dues for cargo ships passing through the Dardanelles has been made by the Turks since 15th August, 1936, in accordance with the Montreux agreement of July, 1936.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

No change has been made in the scale of taxes and charges levied on merchant shipping passing in transit between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea since the date of entry into force on 15th August, 1936, of the Montreux Convention. The dues remain as set out in Annex I of the Convention. The Convention only provides that no taxes or charges other than those contained in Annex I shall be levied. It does not require the Turkish authorities to reduce them.