HC Deb 13 February 1976 vol 905 cc451-2W
Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will detail the consultations that he has had with other Western nations concerning the subsidised freight slashing by Eastern bloc shipping lines; and when he expects to be in a position to announce joint action on the matter.

Mr. Clinton Davis

The matter has been discussed multilaterally during the last two months or so by the Consultative Shipping Group, which consists of the Governments of 12 European maritime nations and Japan, and by the OECD Maritime Transport Committee. We have also had bilateral talks. Investigation and international discussions will continue. Any statement at this stage would be premature.