§ 2. Sir OWEN PHILIPPSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the German Government is evading Articles 323, 327, and 368 of the Treaty of Versailles by withholding an emigration licence from the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company on the plea that, as a licence is stated to have been refused to a German line, no discrimina-is therefore being exercised against a British line; and whether, in view of the early inauguration of a passenger service by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company between Hamburg and the United States, the Government will bring pressure to bear upon the German Government to carry out the Treaty, which clearly requires not only the abolition of German emigrant control stations, but that no obstacles should be placed in the way of any British steamship line participating in the emigrant traffic from, to, and through German territory on an equal footing with any German steamship lines?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI am aware that an emigration licence has not yet been granted to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, and this matter is now under discussion with the German Government. My hon. Friend may rest assured that His Majesty's Government will take such action as may be necessary to secure to British interests their full rights under the Treaty in this matter, which they recognise to be of the greatest importance.
§ Sir O. PHILIPPSWill the Government take advantage of the presence of so many Germans in London at the present time to press the question?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYEverything that is possible will be done.
§ Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYIs it not a fact that the Treaty provides positively that such interference with British ships as is suggested in the question shall not be possible by the German Government under the Article quoted in the question?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI think the answer I have given shows that His Majesty's Government are fully aware of all these conditions.