§ 50. Major ATTLEEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that vessels on the Rhine containing goods consigned to, and paid for by, British importers are being held up by the French at Duisburg-Ruhrort, and that British importers are having to pay a 10 per cent.ad valoremduty and other charges in order to obtain their goods; and whether, in view of the growing irritation of the business community and the damage to British trade caused by this action, he will make immediate representations to the French Government on the matter?
§ Mr. McNEILLArrangements have been concluded between His Majesty's High Commissioner and the local French and Belgian authorities whereby all export goods for British firms which were despatched before 20th February will be released immediately, provided that export duties at the old rates have been paid either to the Germans or to the Allied authorities. This decision applies to the old occupied territories, as well as to the ports of Emmerich, Duisburg and Ruhrort, where goods for British traders have been held up.