§ 1. Mr. LEIF JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamer "Lyntown" left Glasgow in January of this year with a cargo of spirits consigned to Hamburg, and that this cargo was not landed at Hamburg but, notwithstanding the fact that a certificate of landing was given by the British Consul, the spirits were transported in the same ship to the coast of America for sale, free of ditty, on the high seas; and what action does he propose to take to stop this traffic?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. William Graham)I have been asked to answer this question. I find on inquiry that there is no record of a steamer of this name having left Glasgow in January of this year. As 2720 regards the last part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Black) on the 29th July.
§ Mr. JONESWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to what action is taken by the Government or by the Department to see that the terms of the bond which is signed by exporters are really carried out, because my information is that they are not?
§ Mr. GRAHAMCertainly, I will make inquiries, but, as I think I informed my right hon. Friend a day or two ago, this matter is under investigation, and it really raises a very large subject.
§ Mr. JONESIs not the question of the bond which is signed by the exporter, in itself, quite a small question; and is the hon. Gentleman aware that in numerous cases the terms of the bond signed by the exporter are not, if my information is correct, carried out?
§ Mr. GRAHAMCertainly, I agree that that is a narrower point, and I will undertake to make inquiry on that, and inform the right hon. Gentleman.