HC Deb 06 February 1900 vol 78 cc707-8
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government intend to treat food as contraband of war during the present war; and if so, under what restrictions and limitations.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

said: Food stuffs as such have never been considered by this country as contraband of war. Food stuffs intended for the supply of an army in the field are, I believe, by universal consent and international law, regarded as contraband of war.

MR. DILLON

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what regulations the Government intend to enforce, and on what evidence they intend to determine the character of food stuffs landed at Lorenzo Marques?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Questions of fact, of course, are to be decided by the Prize Court.

MR. DILLON

Is it the intention of the Government to direct British cruisers to seize all cargoes of food stuffs going to Lorenzo Marques until their character is ascertained?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I can make no declaration of policy with regard to that.