HC Deb 21 January 1924 vol 169 cc482-4
15. Mr. J. W. MUIR

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that large quantities of circular letters are being sent out in all parts of the country by Lieut.-Colonel Sir. Brodrick Hartwell, Baronet, inviting contributions to a business run by him, and guaranteeing a profit of 20 per cent. for the purpose of smuggling alcoholic liquors into the United States of America; and if he will state what steps he proposes to take to stop this violation of the laws of a friendly State?

137. Mr. FOOT

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the circular letter issued by Lieut.-Colonel Sir Brodrick Hartwell, appealing for investments to enable him to make illicit shipments of liquor into the United States; whether steps can be taken to check this breach of the laws of a friendly State; and whether the use of Post Office facilities for these temptations to law-breaking can be discontinued?

Mr. McNEILL

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for North Newcastle (Mr. Doyle) on 17th January. The last part of Question 137 should be addressed to the Postmaster-General.

Mr. T. JOHNSTON

Is it the case that home consumers of spirit are charged £3 12s. 6d. a gallon, and that these exporters such as are referred to in this question get a drawback of the full sum and get off without paying the duty?

Mr. McNEILL

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Mr. FOOT

Is there any power to deprive a baronet of his baronetcy if he uses that position and that title in order to evade the laws of a friendly State?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter for the Minister. I should first like to see the question.

Mr. LEIF JONES

May I ask whether much of this trade would not he put an end to if they would insist that the spirits were delivered to the ports to which they are consigned, as much of the transhipment takes place on the high seas?

Mr. McNEILL

I would not like to answer that question offhand, but I can tell my right hon. Friend the whole matter has been most thoroughly investigated with the earnest desire to assist in putting a stop to this disreputable traffic. As the House is probably aware, we hope very much that a Treaty with the American Government dealing with the matter will be very shortly concluded, which we hope may go a long way towards remedying this evil.

Captain BERKELEY

In the event of the Treaty being concluded, will steps be taken in this country to prepare legislation making the promotion of this kind of enterprise a punishable offence?

Mr. McNEILL

I could not say that offhand. The hon. and gallant Member probably realises that it is difficult to remedy a matter of this sort by legislation without at the same time running the risk of interfering with legitimate trade.

20. Captain Viscount CURZON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the seizure of the auxiliary schooner "Kwasind" by the United States authorities 17 miles off shore on 3rd January, 1924; and, if so, what action is being taken by His Majesty's Government?

Mr. McNEILL

According to the report of H.M. Consul at Savannah, the "Kwasind," after flying signals of distress, was assisted into port, in a half-sinking condition, by a United States Coast Guard vessel, from a point 17 miles off shore. Her cargo of liquor was thereupon unloaded under United States Customs supervision and she was placed in dry dock. Subsequently the vessel, with her crew and cargo were put under detention on a charge of illegally transporting liquor within the territorial waters of the United States. H.M. Chargé d'Affaires in Washington communicated the facts as reported by H.M. Consul at Savannah to the United States Government, with a request for an investigation into the seizure of the vessel and for her release, if the facts proved to be as stated by H.M. Consul.

Viscount CURZON

Is there any truth in the report in to-day's papers that this ship has been released, and, if so, will any question of compensation be considered?

Mr. McNEILL

I have seen the report in the Press that the vessel has, been released, but I have no official confirmation of it. The question of compensation will naturally follow upon the fact of the legitimacy of the trade engaged in at the time.