§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders' Association protesting against the excessive freights now charged on live stock exported from this country to all foreign ports; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, Sir, and I am already in communication with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on the subject. At the same time, my Noble Friend will be aware that shipping companies are under no statutory obligations with regard to the freights charged, and I have no power to intervene directly in the matter. It would appear that the most important freights are those on cattle exported to the Argentine, and in this connection I would refer my Noble Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade1312W to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook) on 1st March.