MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury have His Majesty's Government issued instructions to the authorities of British ports and coaling stations abroad, prescribing to them their conduct, in the event of war, towards belligerent ships of war; will such ships of war only be permitted in such ports to be supplied with so much coal as will suffice to take them to the nearest port of their own country, and no more; will they be prohibited from receiving any further supply of coal in any other British port until the expiration of three months from the date of the first supply; will their stay in such ports be restricted to twenty-four hours, except in the case of stress of weather or distress for necessary repairs; will such vessels be prohibited from bringing prizes into British ports; and will the same rules be enforced in the ports of the British self-governing Colonies. I will further ask whether, seeing that war has broken out, the Government will advise His Majesty to issue a proclamation of neutrality.
§ * MR. AKERS DOUGLASAs regards the Question on the Paper I have to say that instructions will be issued to the authorities at British ports, including those in self-governing colonies. They will be similar to the instructions issued on previous occasions. My hon. friend has correctly stated their effect. In regard to the further Question, a Council will be held to-morrow, at which the proclamation of neutrality will be approved, and a special Gazette will appear to-morrow with it.