§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD LATHAMMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paer.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the registration of British-owned ships under alien flags would defeat or impair the Government's powers to requisition in case of emergency.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, British nationals and companies qualified to own British ships are required by law to register them as such. Registration under alien flags is therefore illegal, and the possibility of the defeat or impairment of the Government's powers to requisition in case of emergency could not therefore arise.
§ LORD LATHAMMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer, which is somewhat reassuring. Can the noble Lord say what is the position as regards ships registered under a Dominion flag?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, generally speaking, there is nothing to prevent a British ship from being registered under a colonial or Dominion flag. In the case of the Colonies, Her Majesty's Government would have power to requisition. In the case of a Dominion registration, the British Government would have power to requisition only with the acquiescence of the Dominion concerned.
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, may I ask if the term "Dominion" is a correct term? I thought we belonged to a Commonwealth of equal nations.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I am sorry: I was quoting from memory from the Act of 1894, which is a little out of date.