HC Deb 14 March 1962 vol 655 cc1313-4
33. Mr. P. Williams

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the recent conference of European maritime nations.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

Ministers and other representatives of ten European maritime nations met in London last week to discuss the problem of the unilateral control of international shipping exercised by the United States Government. With permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of an agreed statement issued at the end of the meeting.

Mr. Williams

Will my hon. and gallant Friend confirm and re-emphasise the words used by the Minister in the recent debate on shipping to the effect that if we cannot get the agreement of the European nations to make an approach to America on this matter, if we cannot get them to combine, we shall go alone; that it is still the policy of Her Majesty's Government that in default of an agreement with Europe we shall continue to put our point of view to the Americans very forcibly indeed, including taking powers of retaliation if need be?

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

We shall certainly continue to put our point of view firmly, but I think it would be agreed that collective action by ten countries which own more than half the world's shipping is likely to be more effective if we can get it.

Dame Irene Ward

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say whether all the countries concerned have decided to make the strongest representations?

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

Yes, Sir; I think it can be said that all the countries are united in their point of view. I invite my hon. Friend to study the communiqué which will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Dame Irene Ward

It is a pity that my hon. and gallant Friend cannot make a statement now.

Mr. Mellish

If there is a unanimous decision by the European countries, one assumes from what the Minister has said that it follows that we shall continue to approach the Americans. Will the Government soon be in a position to know what the American attitude is to this protest?

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

I did not use the term "protest". We have already made many strong representations at all levels about American law and practice over the last two years, and so have our European friends, but, unfortunately, the results of these protests have been less satisfactory than had been hoped.

Mr. Williams

Why is it necessary to have another meeting on 3rd May?

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

The American legislation raises very important issues of shipping policy, and they need careful study before we can decide what form of collective action is likely to be most effective.

Following is the statement: Ministers responsible for transport and shipping and Ambassadors of ten European countries met today in London under the chairmanship of the Right Hon. Ernest Marples, M.P., Minister of Transport of the United Kingdom, to discuss the regulatory powers affecting international shipping taken by the United States Government under the 1916 Shipping Act as amended by United States Public Law 87–346 which was passed in October, 1961. The following countries were represented:— Belgium, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. 2. Under their legislation the United States Government exercise unilateral control over international shipping engaged in international trade. The meeting agreed that unilateral action by a government in a matter that is essentially international in character could not lead to workable or acceptable results. They could not accept that any one country could unilaterally control international shipping. 3. The meeting agreed that the response of their governments to this situation was a matter of great and lasting importance to international shipping and required most careful thought. It was agreed that another meeting should be held on 3rd May further to discuss the best means to defend their interests. Discussions between experts will take place in the meantime to ensure that the next meeting of Ministers can make the greatest possible progress. 4. Finally, the Governments agreed not to proceed individually but collectively. 6th March, 1962.
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