HC Deb 18 February 1965 vol 706 cc246-7W
58. Mr. Charles Fletcher-Cooke

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made towards settling the dispute between shipowners and the United States Maritime Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mason

The immediate cause of dispute between our shipowners and the Federal Maritime Commission, about the form of dual rate contract used by the North Atlantic Westbound Freight Association has, I hope, been removed. A form of contract negotiated between the North Atlantic Westbound Freight Association on the one hand and the British Shippers' Council and North Atlantic Shippers' Association on the other was made known to the Federal Maritime Commission at the end of last year. On 21st January, the Commission recognised it as the sole form for contract shippers in trade from ports in the United Kingdom to ports in the United States North Atlantic range.