§ 2. Sir ARTHUR MARKHAMasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that a number of British ships have been requisitioned at British Admiralty rates to carry corn supplies and other commodities to Italy for the Italian Government, he will say how many German ships which sought refuge in Italian ports at the outbreak of war have not yet been seized by the Italian Government?
§ 93. Mr. HOGGEasked the names of the German steamers hitherto interned in Italian ports and now requisitioned by the Italian Government, the respective dates of the requisitioning, the employment on which they are engaged, and the date upon which the first steamer so requisitioned sailed upon a voyage from the Italian port in which she had been lying?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Pretyman)My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question, and I will deal at the same time with Question 93. The Board of Trade is informed that of the thirty-seven German steamers in Italian ports thirty-four are being used by the Italian Government, and three are for various reasons unusable. Nine out of the thirty-four are in the trade between Italy and the United Kingdom, and sixteen in trade between Italy, the United Kingdom and Canada. I have no information as to the dates of requisition or sailing.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the hon. Gentleman answer as to the date on which the first of these steamers was used?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI have answered that. I have no information as to the dates of requisition or sailing.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the hon. Gentleman say whether it was before or after the recent Debate in the House?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI have twice told the hon. Gentleman that I have no information.
§ Mr. PRINGLEPut it down again.