Colonel A. Evansasked the Minister of Shipping whether he has any statement 2016W to make on the recent increases in freight rates on homeward cargoes?
§ Mr. CrossThe rates charged for the carriage of homeward cargoes by vessels under my control were recently increased in order to allow for increased costs falling upon the Government as charterers but this involves no increase in the rates of hire paid to owners. In present circumstances the great bulk of our imports are on Government account and the basis of the freight charges debited against the Department concerned is to render the service as nearly as can be estimated at cost.