§ MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Isle of Thanet)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury a Question of which I have given him private notice—whether, in view of the apparent imminence of a state of war between two foreign States, with both of which this country is at present on terms of perfect friendship, it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take immediate steps to make known in advance the obligations which attach to British subjects in all parts of the world as to the observance of strict neutrality if war should unhappily arise?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI understand that the practice universally pursued in this matter is to wait until the outbreak of hostilities before issuing any proclamation, and I see no reason to depart from that course on the present occasion.
§ MR. JAMES LOWTHERI do not refer to the issue of a proclamation. As steps would have to 310 be taken at short notice by Government officers and others in different parts of the Empire, and at long distances from home, I wanted to know whether the Government would issue directions not in the shape of a proclamation, so as to prevent British subjects being taken unawares as to what their duties are.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am not quite sure what form the proposal of my right hon. Friend contemplates, except that of a proclamation, to make it generally known to British citizens in all parts of the world what are their duties as neutrals. If the right hon. Gentleman wishes to confer with me in private, I will be glad to consider with him whether anything can or ought to be done.
§ MR. E. J. C. MORTON (Devonport)May I ask whether it is possible for the Government to procure, through the United States Embassy, or otherwise, for the information of the House, copies of the Consular Reports on the affairs of Cuba recently presented to the American Parliament?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am not aware that there is any machinery for carrying out a demand so unusual, but I shall be glad to consider it.