MR. JOSEPH COWENasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If it is correct that where sailors have been convicted with smuggling the owners of the vessels in which the smuggling has been conducted are liable to penalties in addition to those inflicted on the sailors; and, if it is the case, that even where the owners have been admitted by Her Majesty's Customs to be entirely free from complicity in the acts of the sailors they have not been fined?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHSir, the law provides that any vessel with prohibited goods shall be forfeited. 1561 But this is seldom strictly enforced. In cases where the offender is a person in authority, either the ship is detained, or a deposit of money is required, where the detention of the ship would cause inconvenience to the trade or the public. On release of the ship or repayment of the deposit a fine is generally imposed, with the view of causing owners and masters to take due precaution, not merely that there shall be no complicity, but that every effort shall be used for the prevention of concealments on board vessels.