§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received with regard to the recent decision, claiming to have extraterritorial effect, by the United States Federal Maritime Commission to allow British holders of contracts with the North Atlantic Westbound Freight Association to use a through service from inland points in breach of their contractual obligations with the Association; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuMy Department has received representations from the North Atlantic Westbound Freight Association and from British shippers' organisations about a decision of the Federal Maritime Commission that tariffs issued by Container Marine Lines for through transportation between inland points in the U.K. and U.S. ports are in principle acceptable under the U.S. Shipping Act, and not in conflict with the constitution of the shipping conferences concerned. Whether a breach of the N.A.W.F.A. contracts could arise under the proposed through service is a matter of dispute as to the private rights of the parties on which I cannot comment, and which I do not consider should be affected by the F.M.C. decision. So224W far as I am aware, no proceedings have been taken in the U.K. by the parties to test the issue. Shippers and shipping lines have been invited to discuss the case further at the Board of Trade.