asked the Minister of Transport why the maximum freight for the carriage of oil in British tankers from the Persian Gulf is much below the rate that has to be paid for similar service by chartered foreign tankers.

The freight payable for a British tanker is controlled in the interests of the United Kingdom economy, and is related to costs, including a reasonable rate of profit. For foreign tankers charterers have to pay the rate which the foreign tanker owner can command in the world market.