§ CAPTAIN ELLICE (St. Andrews Burghs)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any international undertaking that belligerent ships of war should restrict their stay in neutral ports to twenty-four hours, or whether such instructions are only applicable to British ports.
§ * EARL PERCYThere is no such international undertaking. The rule was adopted by this country in 1862, and, since that date, several foreign States have issued similar rules in connection with their observance of neutrality.