§ Mr. SHORTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware 1977W that the "Moldavia" and the "Mooltan," due to sail from Melbourne, Australia, last October, suffered large losses of cargo due to the operation of the quota system; and, if so, can he take action to prevent the occurrence of a similar incident?
§ Dr. BURGINMy attention has been called to a statement that space engaged for the shipment of mutton and lamb on these vessels had been cancelled. The arrangements proposed by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom for the second half of this year have not necessitated a reduction of the expected aggregate shipments of mutton and lamb from Australia. The distribution of these shipments among the individual shippers is a matter for His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia, and I am not aware of the circumstances in which this cancellation of tonnage became necessary. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.