§ 14. Mr. STEWARTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a steamer lately wrecked on the Goodwin Sands was until quite recently a German steamer; whether she had been transferred to new owners while lying in a neutral port; whether such transfers in time of war are accepted by all the Allies as final and in accordance with international law; if he will state the nationality of the crew, manning the ship and the country which has granted the protection of its flag; whether any more such transfers of German steamers have been effected; and, if so, is there any limit to the number of ships which can be so transferred?
Mr. BALFOURThe vessel in question flew the German flag before the War. She was, however, under charter to a neutral firm, who were in possession of an option to purchase her. On the outbreak of war this firm sought permission to exercise their option, and His Majesty's Government, in consultation with their Allies, consented, subject to certain stipulations which had the object of ensuring that she could not possibly be run in the interest of the enemy. Five other enemy vessels have been transferred to neutral flags under somewhat similar circumstances. It is very improbable that at this period of the War their number will be increased. The shipwrecked vessel flew the American flag. The nationality of the crew is not known to the Admiralty except that, in accordance with the conditions of transfer of flag, there are no enemy subjects among them.