§ Mr. Sydney Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the inquiries have been cornpleted into allegations that a British-registered vessel carried Rhodesian 289W chrome to the USA and British underwriters insured the goods.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineYes. From these inquiries it seems clear that a con-signment of chrome carried on the "La Chacra"—a British registered vessel owned by Buries Markes Ltd—was of Rhodesian origin. The vessel concerned was, however, on charter at the time to a Canadian company, under a contract which specifically excluded the carriage of Rhodesian goods. The Canadian Government have been informed. The insurance of the consignment was accepted by agents in Belgium acting for a French company and a British insurance syndicate was indirectly involved through reinsurance treaties with that company. The British insurance syndicate was not informed that the consignment was Rhodesian. On the evidence produced the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided that no legal proceedings should be instituted against British companies or individuals.