§ 18. Mr. Moelwyn Hughesasked the Minister of Economic Warfare, to what extent there has been a relaxation in the policy of His Majesty's Government in relation to intercepted Vichy ships and their cargoes?
§ The Minister of Economic Warfare (Mr. Dalton)There has been no relaxation. As I informed the House on 30th July, 1940, His Majesty's Government had decided that it was impossible, for blockade purposes, to distinguish between Occupied and Unoccupied France. Metropolitan France, as well as Algeria, Tunisia and French Morocco is, therefore, treated for the purposes of Contraband and Enemy Export Control, as enemy-controlled territory. Thus goods destined for these territories are liable to be placed in Prize. I regret that nothing has occurred since July of last year which would enable His Majesty's Government to modify their view or to regard Unoccupied France as being, for blockade purposes, in a different position from other enemy-controlled territory. Moreover, the British Contraband Control regards as suspect any consignment not wholly covered by navicerts or British export licences or other appropriate documents carried to or from ports in the Navicert Area, and under the Reprisals Order in Council of 31st July, 1940, cargoes and ships not covered by the appropriate navicert or pass are liable to be seized as Prize. This rule applies to French ships as much as to any others.
Prize Court proceedings are only appropriate in the case of vessels carrying cargo, unless the ship is an enemy ship or has resisted lawful visit and search. Such resistance has always been regarded as in itself sufficient ground for seizure. But, at the time of the Franco-German Armistice, the Vichy Government refused to hand over, and have since employed for their own purposes, a considerable number of British and Allied vessels, and neutral vessels chartered to the United Kingdom, which happened to 160 be in French ports at the time. Accordingly, when French ships in ballast have been intercepted by our patrols, these have been retained, and have been put into our service as a measure of reprisal for the unwarranted and unlawful detention of our ships. If any further justification for our action were needed, it is provided by evidence which has recently come into our possession, shewing that some of these ships have been allowed to pass under the direct control of the enemy.
§ Mr. HughesDo I understand that the position is that any cargo destined for or coming from France can be seized, and that any vessel going to or coming from France can also be seized?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir, that is so.
§ Mr. HughesGood.