HC Deb 09 July 1918 vol 108 cc134-5
1. Colonel YATE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Admiralty and the War Office were not formally consulted on the question of the removal of the embargo on the import of cotton into Switzerland; and whether the representatives of these two offices who took part in the negotiations made any representations for or against the removal of the embargo?

The MINISTER of BLOCKADE (Lord R. Cecil)

The embargo was imposed pending the completion of certain negotiations between the Allied Governments, acting in concert with the United States Government, on the one hand, and the Swiss Government on the other. The War Office gave assistance in the course of the negotiations, and an officer, who rendered valuable services to the Allied negotiations as technical adviser, was sent to Berne by the Admiralty. When the negotiations had reached a result satisfactory to the Allied Governments, and the reason for imposing the embargo thus removed, it was raised. In view of the assistance which the War Office and Admiralty had given in bringing about the agreement, there was no occasion for further consulting the Departments mentioned. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

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