§ SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERY (Yorkshire, West Riding, Shipley)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that wool grown in the Transvaal is being made the regular subject of trade by the intervention of steamers under the German flag; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that there has recently been sold in London wool ex German steamers, "Herzog," 1,229 bales; "Bundesrath," 650 bales; "General," 121 bales; "Kanzler," 121 bales; "Admiral," 163 bales: making a total of 2,284 bales; and whether he can now see his way to give order to the Commandant at Durban that British steamers may be employed in the transport of all wools which are tendered to them by neutral shippers.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordI am aware that wool grown in the Transvaal has been conveyed to Europe by the intervention of German or other neutral steamers, and 576 my attention has not previously been drawn to the precise amounts—which, however, I see no reason to doubt—but it is impossible to issue such orders as are suggested to the Commandant at Durban, as British steamers cannot trade with the enemy.
§ SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the object for which this regulation was established is not being accomplished?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That is a matter of argument.