§ 53. Mr. PETOasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, provided ships are unloaded into Rhine lighters overside at Rotterdam, Dordrecht, and other Rhine ports, they do not come under the control of the Dutch Customs authorities; and whether he will see that effective steps are taken to ascertain the ultimate destination of the cargo of cotton in the ss. "Pacific" and other neutral vessels carrying cargoes of presumed neutral destination?
Mr. PRIMROSEThe transit traffic viâ the Rhine from Holland into Germany is regulated by Treaty (the Rhine Convention). At present all through traffic—whether by the Rhine or otherwise—is treated alike by the Dutch authorities. They do not interfere with legitimate through traffic, but stringent rules are laid down as to what constitutes such traffic. Any cargoes arriving in a Dutch port "on through traffic" have to be declared and are at once examined by the Customs. If the authorities are satisfied that there is no objection, under the existing regulations, to their treatment as through-traffic the goods are released as such remaining under Customs control until they pass out of the country. The ss. "Pacific" was reported by His Majesty's Consul at Galveston as having left that port on 7th February for Rotterdam with a consignment of cotton, the loading being effected under the inspection of His Majesty's Consul. Non-contraband cargoes on neutral vessels proceeding to a neutral port have not hitherto been interfered with.
§ Mr. PETOCan the hon. Gentleman say whether His Majesty's Consul at the port of debarkation has any opportunity of inspecting the unloading of the vessel?