§ 2. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the undertaking given by his predecessor on the 3rd July of this year, and the demand from both merchants and 256 shipowners, be will take an early opportunity of bringing in legislation with regard to bills of lading?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI will consider very carefully the question to which my hon. Friend refers, but it is not at this stage possible to make any definite statement as to the introduction of legislation.
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not the case that an agreement has been come to with the Chamber of Shipping and the Federation of Traders' Organisations, and that there is no reason why there should be any delay in introducing legislation on this subject?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI think the hon. Member knows what the position was at the end of last Session. I quite agree that there is a large measure of agreement, but since then there has been the International Maritime Convention, followed by a meeting of the Commission at The Hague. I am considering the effect of these, and am hoping to take up the matter very shortly.