§ 67. Mr. Straussasked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the Washington discussions on the United States Federal Maritime Commission's attempt to impose contract terms on those effected between foreign shippers and their customers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GalbraithThe talks took place on 14th and 15th May. There was an exchange of views on the jurisdictional aspects of the contracts. The United States Federal Maritime Commission said it would give favourable consideration to the deletion of certain so-called jurisdictional174W provisions from the draft contracts, on application by a conference provided that there were no objections by any interested party. The Commission did not however accept our understanding that these talks would be followed by others with the ship-owners on points of commercial substance. The outcome is now being considered by the 10 European Governments and Japan who took part in or were represented at the talks. We are also consulting with the ship-owners and shippers.