§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the seizure of cargo from the vessel Casablanca at Puerto Cortes, in so far as British interests are involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyWe understand that on 22 March at Puerto Cortes, Honduras, part of the cargo of bananas of the Netherlands-registered vessel Casablanca was removed in pursuance of an order by a Honduran court in favour of a US-owned banana exporter against a Honduran grower, and that the bananas removed had been bought for a British company for export from Honduras. Another vessel experienced similar difficulties on 30 March. Her Majesty's ambassador has expressed to the Honduran authorities our concern over the disruption of trade and our hope that any legal problems can quickly be resolved, to enable trade to resume without hindrance.