§ MR. E. HUBBARDasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in view of Article Three of the notification of the blockade of the Black Sea, which grants a delay of three days, reckoning from the 5th May, to merchant vessels wishing to enter one of the blockaded ports, and a delay of five days to those who wish to clear from the same, Her Majesty's Government consider that this notification gives the "reasonable time" required by International Law for a notice of blockade to take effect. The article having appeared in the "Times" of Monday 7th May, and the time expiring on Tuesday the 8th and Thursday the 10th May; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will consider the possibility of making imme- 499 diate representations to the Porte in favour of British shipowners who, under this article, would have to forego their homeward cargoes to save the hull of their vessels from capture?
§ MR. BOURKEHer Majesty's Government are not prepared to contest the right of the Porte to issue the regulations with regard to the blockade which have appeared in the newspapers; and with regard to the second paragraph of the hon. Member's Question, I have to state that a telegram was sent yesterday to Constantinople authorizing and directing Mr. Layard to request that the Porte would give an extension of the days of grace to vessels wishing to enter I the blockaded ports. That telegram added the hope that Her Majesty's Government would receive from the Porte an assurance that an extension of the days of grace should be accorded, in order that vessels which are now on their way to ports in the Black Sea should be enabled to arrive there.
MR. WILSONasked whether that applied also to vessels having cargoes for ports in the Mediterranean?
§ MR. BOURKEsaid, it was a general instruction to Mr. Layard.