§ MR. ROSE (Cambridgeshire, Newmarket)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the seizure by Russian destroyers in the Red Sea of British steamers laden with coal to Japan; and whether, in view of the fact of coal not having been declared contraband of war by Russia, and that over 15 ships of a total value, including cargo, of over £700,000, have sailed from Cardiff under similar conditions and insured in London in the belief that coal was not declared contraband of war by Russia, he will state whether His Majesty's Government intend to take any action in the matter.
§ * EARL PERCYHis Majesty's Government have no information respecting the alleged seizures. They have been informed that the Russian Government are at present considering regulations in regard to contraband visits on the high seas, Prize Courts, &c, and that these 1232 regulations will shortly be communicated to the Powers.