§ Mr. LESLIE SCOTTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether steamship rates of freight on oil and fish from Newfoundland to Liverpool have recently, and without warning, been increased 600 per cent., notwithstanding that the rates had already been more than doubled as the result of war conditions; whether he is aware of the feeling which exists amongst the traders both in Newfoundland and in this country owing to the losses which the application of this unexpected and unprecedented advance in freight rates will involve; and whether he will endeavour to arrange to give relief, to the extent of allowing such commodities as were sold by Newfoundland merchants to merchants in this country prior to this increase in freight to come forward at the old rates?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI am giving careful consideration to this matter. My inquiries are not yet complete, but I will communicate the result to my hon. and learned Friend as soon as possible.