§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, if he is aware that the Italian Steamship Company, "La Maritima," was until recently in the conference ring of which the Union. Castle Steamship Company is the leader; that this Italian company has left the ring, and is now quoting 25 per cent. less rates than the former ring rate from Genoa to African Cape ports; that the Union Steamship Company has sent out to traders a circular stating that they will accept Italian rates from Genoa; if his department has been informed by the Union Steamship Company that they are quoting this lower rate to force the Italian company back into the ring; is he aware that these lower rates given by a British steamship company to Italian competitors of British manufacturers is cutting the latter out of the South African market; and what action has he taken, or intends to take, in the matter?
§ Viscount WOLMERI understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the question, and that a rate war is proceeding between the British Company and the Italian Company with regard to traffic from the Mediterranean to South Africa. The Board of Trade has no statutory power to intervene in the matter.