§ 10. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether two shipments of gold were brought from the United States by the ships "Rotterdam" and "Noordam" in December last, and the cargoes ordered to be brought to England by the Contraband Committee; and if the question as to whether we have power to stop gold going into neutral countries is still sub judice?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. These cargoes have not yet been dealt with by the Prize Court.
§ 12. Mr. GWYNNEasked whether the question of our power to stop gold going to neutrals is still sub judice; and if, in spite of this fact, the Government have recently agreed to allow a sum up to £1,000,000 to be sent from New York to Holland by the International Banking Corporation?
§ Sir E. GREYIn the particular case to which the hon. Member refers it was found that the transaction was accounted for by the ordinary operation of economic forces, and that there was no ground on which the shipment of the gold could properly be prevented. The question of the power of His Majesty's Government to stop gold going to neutrals, when there is evidence of enemy interest in the gold or in the uses to which it is to put, is sub judice, I understand, in connection with certain cargoes which are to come before the Prize Court.
§ 13. Mr. GWYNNEasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the International Banking Corporation, London, has been obtaining permits for the remittance of large quantities of gold from London to the Rotterdamsche Bankvereingin; and whether he has made inquiries to find out whether the said bank is one of a number of German agencies in Holland?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)The Treasury cannot trace any case, in which the International Banking Corporation, London, has asked their permission for or consulted them about remittance of gold from London to the firm mentioned.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, I will see.