§ *SIR J. COLOMBI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Customs Department notifies to the Admiralty and War Office respectively full particular's as to exportation of arms, ammunition, and warlike stores to foreign States and territories; and, if so, whether such notification is given by that Department to the Admiralty and War Office respectively at stated periods, or immediately the Board of Trade officials become aware of such shipments having been made; and, if at stated periods, whether monthly, quarterly, or otherwise.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HANBURY,) PrestonDetailed Returns of war material and naval stores shipped at ports in the United Kingdom have been furnished by the Customs to the Admiralty at their request since June, 1889. These Returns are supplied as soon as practicable after shipment. Returns are not usually supplied to the War Office, which receives a quarterly statement from the Admiralty; but since the outbreak of the war the Director of Military Intelligence has been supplied, at his request, with Returns for South African ports.