§ 19. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Economic Warfare why the Order-in-Council dealing with German exports is based on the precedent of March, 1915, and not that of February, 1918, which was much more thorough?
§ The Minister of Economic Warfare (Mr. Cross)The hon. Member is presumably referring to the Order-in-Council of February, 1917, not 1918. The recent Order-in-Council dealing with German exports was based on the precedent of March, 1915, because that was considered sufficient for the present to ensure that; goods of enemy origin or ownership do not reach their destination overseas, and because His Majesty's Government are anxious to cause as little loss and inconvenience to neutrals as is compatible with the due execution of their policy of intercepting German exports. The question whether any more vigorous procedure should be adopted must depend on future circumstances.