§ Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the difficulties experienced by British merchants shipping goods to South and East Africa as the result of the present system of rate charging by the conference lines; and whether, seeing that the present freight adjustment method operates to the disadvantage of British exporters, who are handicapped in quoting prices by not knowing in advance what the actual freight payable on any consignment may be, any efforts have been made to rectify this handicap to British trade?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI have not received any complaints with regard to the rates referred to. But if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the difficulties he has in mind, my Department will go into the matter with the conference lines.