§ 56. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Prime Minister whether the German Armistice Commission or the German Government has refused to hand over the German mercantile fleet to the Allies; if he will say in what ports the ships are lying; and whether it is proposed, in view of the fact that we are still at war with Germany, to employ the British Navy to take forcible possession of the German ships?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThis subject is now being dealt with in Paris, and I cannot at present make any statement about it.
§ 57. Mr. McNEILLasked the Prime Minister whether the demand of the Allies for the use of the German mercantile fleet for the specific purpose of revictualling Germany and other countries means that the ton-for-ton policy is not to form part of the permanent terms of peace; and, if so, will he say why British public opinion in this respect is to be disregarded?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir; the demand of the Allies does not bear the construction suggested in the first part of my hon. Friend's question.