HC Deb 18 June 1917 vol 94 cc1394-5
10. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign affairs whether the action of Sweden in blocking upwards of sixty of our merchant vessels from exit out of the Baltic by means of a minefield through which pilotage is restricted to her own national vessels is justified under international law; and, if not, whether Sweden has been informed as to the very large sum of money for which she is liable under demurrage claims-through the enforced inactivity of these vessels, together with claims for damage to the physical interests of this country?

The MINISTER of BLOCKADE (Lord Robert Cecil)

In reply to the first part of question I would refer the hon. Member to the correspondence with the Swedish Government respecting the mining of the Kogrunds Passage, which was laid before the House in April last, and to the reply returned to the hon. Member for Dublin University on 19th March last. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. I should add that an arrangement has now been arrived at with the Swedish Government under which the vessels are allowed freely to pass out of the Baltic, and that a number of them have already done so

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Why were these vessels which have been interned— because it comes to that—been interned. by a neutral Power, and have neutral Powers any right to intern our vessels?

Lord R. CECIL

If my hon. and learned Friend will read the Parliamentary Paper, he will see that that was the view which the British Government took and pressed very strongly on the Swedish Government.

Mr. MacNEILL

What happened?

Lord R. CECIL

They have agreed to allow them now to pass.

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