§ 2. Mr. HEWINSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the Bill now 1464 pending in the House of Representatives of the United States which is designed to prohibit any vessel owned by a railway company subject to the control of the Inter-State Commerce Commission from using any waterway of the United States, including the great lakes and the Panama, Canal; whether there is any precedent for such legislation in respect of other international waterways; whether such a prohibition is in accordance with the treaty obligations; what British-owned and Canadian-owned steamship lines would be affected by such legislation; whether the effect might be to increase to the consumer the cost of goods carried by the steamers in question; and whether he is making representations on the subject to the Government of the United States?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)My attention has been called to the Bill introduced by Mr. Adamson, and passed by the House of Representatives on 23rd May. The Bill will now, I understand, come before the Senate. I am not aware of any precedent that is applicable. I cannot say to what extent British interests or treaty rights might be affected until it is apparent in what form the Bill will be adopted by the Senate; pending this there-is no definite ground for representations.
§ Mr. HEWINSMay I ask the Foreign Secretary whether he has received any representations from the British Ambassador?
§ Sir E. GREYI would ask the hon. Member for notice of that question.