§ Mr. GIBSONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware of the conclusion of an agreement whereby the South African Government has agreed to subsidise an Italian shipping line at £150,000 a year for a period of five years, trading between the Mediter-raneant ports and South Africa; and, in view of this violation of the Ottawa Agreement, if the Government intend to protest against this discrimination against our shipping?
Mr. THOMASAs has been explained in reply to questions by the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Rankin), His Majesty's Government in. the United Kingdom are in communication with His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa on this subject. There is, however, nothing in the Trade Agreement concluded at Ottawa between the United Kingdom and the Union of South Africa which touches upon this question.