Mr. RUNCIMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether it is proposed to raise the rates of freights for the carriage of frozen meat from the Argentine and Australasia; if so, by what percentage are the rates to be raised above those which have been in force ever since insulated space in merchant ships was requisitioned three years ago; and on whom rests the responsibility for the rise?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The proposed rate from the Argentine will be approximately double that fixed at the beginning of the War. I am not yet in a position to make a statement as to the rate from Australasia. The revised rates are fixed by the Ministry of Shipping, as I leave already explained, in order to meet increase in charges payable by the Government, and in particular of war risk insurance, which has risen to 36 per cent. per annum.