Mr. RUNCIMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether cases of gin from Holland were imported into Hull in December, 1917; if so, how many cases; whether gin is on the list of prohibited imports; and why this commodity was allowed to take up tonnage space which could have been devoted to Dutch butter, margarine, and bacon?
§ Mr. WARDLETwenty-eight thousand and ninety-two gallons of gin were brought to this country from Holland in December last for transhipment to West African ports. The number of cases is not known. Gin is a prohibited import, but a general licence is in operation which permits the carriage of prohibited goods to the United Kingdom for transhipment if they are brought in neutral vessels. Such was the case with the gin now in question, and I understand that no food or other essential commodity was shut out by virtue of this shipment. No gin was imported in December for Home consumption under licences issued by the Board of Trade.