8. Miss WARDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with regard to the freights agreement in the Baltic, he has any information as to its operation and its ability to hold freights at an economic level?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI presume my hon. Friend refers to the scheme known as the Balt-White. Scheme organised by the Baltic and International Maritime Conference with a view to establishing minimum rates of freight in the timber trade 1504 from the Baltic and White Seas. I have no information on the working of the scheme beyond what has appeared in the Press.
Miss WARDIn view of the fact that the Russians, apparently, have not been keeping their bargain in relation to this agreement, will the right hon. Gentleman consider making representations to the Russian Government on that point?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot, without refreshing my memory, say exactly what is the action of the Russians towards the scheme, but my recollection was that they remained outside it, and have not been bound by the minimum rates provided in the agreement.