13. Sir F. HALLasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that five German passenger and cargo steamers of over 1,600 tons gross register, trading in the Argentine, and belonging to the Hamburg South American Company, have been transferred by one Delfino, the representative of that company in the Argentine, to a new Argentine company formed for the purpose, with a view to avoiding the surrender of these vessels to the Reparation Commission of the Allies under the Treaty of Versailles; whether his Department and the Ministry of Shipping had their attention drawn to the matter as long ago as March, 1919; if warning was later given to those Departments that evasion by the Germans of their Treaty obligations in this manner was likely; whether the prestige of the Allies in South America is liable to suffer seriously if the Germans are allowed thus openly to evade the Treaty provisions; and what steps it is proposed to take to set matters right?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Leslie Wilson)I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the circumstances connected with the five steamers which are referred to in the question, and the matter is being closely watched. The question as to the delivery of the steamers under the Treaty of Versailles is a matter for the Reparation Commission and is being dealt with by them.
Sir F. HALLAs the hon. and gallant Gentleman says that the Government are watching this project, is he aware that repeated notification has been given to the various Departments of the Government, including the Foreign Office and the. Department which he represents, calling attention to the fact that this would happen; and is the Government aware that owing to the slackness of the various Departments these steamers are being transferred practically to the German Government or under German management?
§ Colonel WILSONI really must disagree with my hon. and gallant Friend that it is due to any slackness on the 1578 part of any Government Department. We have been fully aware of all the circumstances in regard to the transfer of these particular steamers. My hon. and gallant Friend must realise that this is a very difficult and delicate subject and the Reparation Commission is awaiting a reply to a note sent to the German Government, and until we get that reply I cannot usefully add anything to my answer.
Sir F. HALLAs the hon. and gallan[...] Gentleman says he is waiting for a reply does he recognise the fact that these steamers have been transferred to the German flag and practically under German management, namely, the Hamburg Amerika Line; and does my hon. and gallant Friend think that now any alteration can be made?
§ Colonel WILSONI cannot agree that they have been transferred to the German flag. They are under the Agentine flag at present, and my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that when a country is involved which is not a signatory to the Treaty, it may be a somewhat delicate question, and I would rather not give an answer now.
Sir F. HALLI beg to give notice that I will repeat this question again in a week or two weeks' time.