§ Mr. HUNTasked whether, under the Declaration of London, all food-stuffs, except nuts, coming by sea to Great Britain during war in neutral ships would be subject to capture by an enemy's vessels; and whether similar food-stuffs, conveyed in neutral vessels and destined for the use of an enemy, would be immune from capture by British warships, provided that the cargoes they conveyed were consigned in the first instance to neutral ports?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first question is in the negative. Foodstuffs are only conditional contraband, and conditional contraband is not liable to capture unless it is shown to be destined for the use of the armed forces, or of a Government Department, of the enemy State. With regard to the second question, conditional contraband is not liable to capture on board a vessel bound for a neutral port, but the immunity does not depend on the place to which the cargoes are consigned, but on the destination of the ship.
§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESMay I ask whether the answers just given are founded upon the assumption that the Declaration of London will come into force, and is he aware that such a Declaration can have no force against the subjects of the King unless and until ratified by Parliament?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThat is certainly so, but the question is whether in the Declaration certain things are provided.
§ Earl WINTERTONAre we to understand that this matter is to be laid before Parliament to be ratified?
Mr. McKINNON WOODYes, the promise has been given that before ratification opportunity will be given for discussion in this House.
§ Mr. HUNTIs it the fact that with the exception of nuts three-fourths of the foodstuffs to this country in time, of war would be liable to capture, while the foodstuffs to Continental ports would not be?