§ Mr. Malcolm Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Messrs. McCallum, Or me and Company, of Glasgow and West Highland Steamers, have charged 3s. for freight on a 5-gallon drum of sheep dip from Glasgow to Lochmaddy, on which the buyer had already been charged 3s. 6d. war risk and marine insurance by the senders as against a pre-war total charge of about 1s. 9d.; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce excessive charges on all such agricultural and fishermen's necessaries carried to the Western Isles?
Mr. JohnstonI have made inquiries into the transaction referred to, and I am informed by the company that there has been a misunderstanding about the freight charge and that they are prepared to make a refund. The freight charge for a half-hundredweight drum of sheep dip was 1s. 10d. before the war, and is now 2s. As for the question of the charge of 3s. 6d. for war risk and marine insurance, I will ask my Noble Friend the Minister of War Transport, in whose province the matter lies, to communicate with my hon. Friend.