§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he will instruct the aliens officers to restrict the landing facilities for crews of neutral merchant vessels as much as possible; and whether he can state, when 1658W permission is given to any of the neutral crews to land whose business it is to see that our hospitality is not abused and to examine what purchases are made on shore and taken on board the ships?
§ Sir G. CAVEMy hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question, as its subject matter falls within the province of my Department. The restrictions with regard to the crews of neutral ships which have been in force for a long time are stringent, and the officers have already instructions to see that they are enforced, so far as practicable. The answer to the last part of the question is that the necessary supervision is generally exercised by the aliens officers and the police, and in ports of special naval or military importance, also by the naval or military authorities.