HC Deb 09 May 1962 vol 659 cc47-8W
62. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement in connection with the action of the shipping interests in the United States of America against United Kingdom shipowners.

Mr. Marples

If, as I assume, the Question refers to action by the Federal Maritime Commission, the answer is that we are examining the courses open to us in consultation with other maritime powers.

Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the action taken by the United States Federal Maritime Commission in requiring certain British shipping companies to produce freight-rate documents.

Mr. Marples

On 9th March, 1962, I sent a letter on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to seven British shipping companies requiring them not to produce or make available to the United States Federal Maritime Commission certain documents located outside the United States and relating to transactions which were effected wholly within the United Kingdom and were not within the substantive jurisdiction of the United States. I understand that the Federal Maritime Commission has since denied an appeal by the shipping companies concerned against a ruling by one of its officials that these documents must be produced. I cannot forecast what will happen next but the issue has implications of considerabe importance for Her Majesty's Government and will be treated accordingly.