§ Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the whole of the deposit money and the collateral security of the Port of Rich-borough, under the agreement of 24th March, 1921, has been received by the Government; whether there is any prospect of the other obligations of the licensees of the Port of Richborough being carried out within the stated time; whether Richborough is now closed; whether valuable and serviceable material is now rotting and disintegrating; and whether the Government will state their immediate policy with regard to Richborough?
§ Mr. BALDWINWith regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, a deposit of £250,000 in 5 per cent. War Loan and Victory Bonds was received on the signing of the contract, and the sale proceeds of these have been paid into the Exchequer. The purchasers of Richborough claimed to rescind the agreement, and an action for specific performance of the contract has been brought on behalf of the Government, and is now pending. The property is now in the hands of a Receiver appointed by the Court, who holds it pending the decision in the action. Proper steps for the preservation of the property are being taken, and such of the assets as can be sold at reasonable prices are being disposed of by the Receiver with the leave of the Court.
2962Wat the Port of Constantinople during the years 1911, 1912 and 1913, according to returns furnished by His Majesty's Consular Officers stationed at that port during the years in question: