§ 10. Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what steps, if any, have been taken, or are to be taken, by the Government to prevent shipments of cotton goods, hardware, and other manufactured or semi-manufactured goods from being shipped at British ports in British bottoms to alien enemies in neutral countries and particularly to South American countries; what steps, if any, have been taken, or are to be taken, by the Indian Government to prevent shipment of jute goods (grain and nitrate of soda bags, ore pockets, and Hessian cloths) from being shipped at Indian ports in British bottoms to alien enemies in neutral countries, particularly to South American countries; and is the Government aware that in certain South American countries extended credits to native dealers are being granted by German firms in order to cultivate trade relationships in these countries to the detriment of British merchants at a time when credits granted by British merchants are being prudently restricted in all countries, owing to the financial disturbance caused by the European War.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILAs my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, a person of enemy nationality resident in a neutral country is, according to our existing law, treated as a neutral and is only subject to such restrictions as affect other neutral traders. A special committee has been appointed to consider the anomalies and evils arising from this state of affairs and to devise remedies for them. I shall be very glad if my hon. Friend will communicate to me any views or information he has for the assistance of that committee.
§ Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNERI will do that.