§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give concerning the seizure of the "Thorpe-hall" by the Dutch authorities?
§ Viscount CranborneA report has been received from the British Vice-Consul at Flushing in regard to the arrest by the local authorities of the "Thorpehall" on 2nd July. It appears that this steamer, chartered by the Veronica Shipping Company from the Westcliffe Shipping Company, left Bilbao on 15th June with 30 cases on board containing, it is alleged, securities and valuables belonging to the banks and other concerns in Bilbao and being exported from Spain by orders of the Basque Government. The "Thorpehall" called at La Pallice on 15th June and sailed at short notice on 25th June, leaving all her documents in the hands of the customs at that port.
Legal proceedings had in the meantime been instituted in the Dutch courts by representatives of the banks and other concerns which claim ownership of the 745W securities, etc., on board the "Thorpe-hall". The ship was, therefore, detained on arrival at Flushing pending a legal decision in regard to the ownership of the cargo in question. Arrangements will probably be made for the cargo in dispute to be landed and for the subsequent release of the vessel.