HC Deb 28 May 1924 vol 174 cc415-6
47. Mr. NICHOL

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the widespread advertisements of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Brodrick Hartwell, baronet, soliciting financial support of schemes for the smuggling of large quantities of whisky into the United States of America; and if he will take powers to prevent this breach of the laws of a friendly State, in view of its effect on the relations between Great Britain and the United States?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. J. Ramsay MacDonald)

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Monday to the hon. and learned Member for the Exchange Division of Liverpool.

Mr. NICHOL

Would it not be possible to deal with this open exploitation of military and other honours, and is there any method of withdrawing honours in cases where use of this kind is made of them?

Mr. T. JOHNSTON

Can the Prime Minister say whether this export business is still being subsidised to the extent of 3d. per gallon from public funds?

The PRIME MINISTER

With regard to the second supplementary question, I will make inquiries, but I expect that it is. I should like to assure the House that I would be only too glad to do anything to stop this sort of affair, and if hon. Members have any suggestions to make I should be very glad if they will let me have them.

Mr. WHITE

In view of the continuance of these activities by this person, will the Prime Minister consider the advisability of making either official or unofficial representations to the Underwriters' Association with regard to the prevention of the insuring of these cargoes?

The PRIME MINISTER

My attention was only drawn two days ago to the renewal of this outburst. It is at present under consideration.

Mr. NICHOL

Would it be possible to apply something of the well-known esprit de corps that we have in the Services to prevent this scandal?

Mr. LEIF JONES

Seeing that this traffic is carried on by the transhipment of spirit on the high seas, will the Prime Minister consider putting into force he Spirits Act, which says that spirits exempted from duty in this country must be delivered at the port to which they are consigned?

Viscountess ASTOR

Would it be possible to put a big export tax on this spirit?

Mr. FINNEY

Will the Prime Minister make inquiries whether the Assembly of the Island of Nassau is considering the project of reducing the import duty on spirits, in order to enable them to compete with the Island of St. Pierre in this traffic?

The PRIME MINISTER

Very few of the questions that have been put to me really belong to the Foreign Office. They are either Treasury questions or Colonial Office questions. I shall communicate with my colleagues and see whether we can do anything to remove this disgraceful blot.

Major COLFOX

Will the Prime Minister give a day for discussion of this matter?