§ 26. Mr. HALESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the freights on merchandise from the United Kingdom to Calcutta, Bombay and Madras are being raised from 2s. 6d. to 5s. per ton; and, having regard to the extent of the competition from Japan on the Indian market, whether he will insist upon reductions in these freights as a-condition of the grants to be made to the shipping companies?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE, (Dr. Burgin)I am aware that the Indian Shipping Conference have announced their intention of raising freight rates from the Continent and United Kingdom to India on 1st September next. The conference are now considering representations from shippers affected by the proposal, which they state is necessary owing to the non-remunerative level of the present rates. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that the rates quoted are liner, not tramp, rates