asked the Minister of Transport which Governments have now ratified the March, 1948, Convention on the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation; and what progress is now being made with this organisation.

So far, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Netherlands have accepted the Convention to which my hon. Friend refers. It does not, however, come into operation until it has been accepted by 21 countries, including seven with not less than one million gross tons of shipping. Preparations for the setting up of the organisation have been carried as far as possible in these circumstances.

Can the Minister not give us any further information as to the prospects of this organisation being established, and as to when these other ratifications are likely to come about? In the meantime, what is happening about discriminatory practices, which are the main reason for setting up this organisation?

All I can say is that the Foreign Office are doing all they possibly can to influence other countries to sign this Convention.