HC Deb 14 April 1910 vol 16 cc1563-4W
Mr. LEVERTON HARRIS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps he proposes to take for the better protection of our food supply in time of war, in view of the fact that under the Declaration of London, 1909, all food coming to any place in this country which may happen to be a base of supply or equipment for any of our armed forces is to be presumed to be contraband of war, and, as such, may be seized?

Mr. McKENNA

The provision of the Declaration of London to which I understand the hon. Member refers, introduces no change in the existing law of nations. Its effect is not, as the hon. Member supposes, that foodstuffs consigned to a "place serving as a base for the armed forces of the enemy" may be seized as contraband, but merely that if a capture be made on the ground that the ship carries foodstuffs so consigned, the onus of proof as to the contraband character of the consignment is shifted from the captor to the neutral. It would not be in the national interest that I should give particulars as to the manner in which the necessary protection of our food supplies in time of war will be effected.

Mr. LEVERTON HARRIS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the new naval manual which is now being prepared, and which is to be based upon the provisions of the Declaration of London, 1909, instructions will be given to British naval officers that all our enemy's food at sea is to be immune from capture, provided such food is consigned to the enemy riâ a neutral port?

Mr. McKENNA

The manual will embody the provisions of the Declaration of London when ratified. As to the nature of these provisions, I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the articles dealing with contraband of war in Chapter II. of the Declaration of London.

Mr. LEVERTON HARRIS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has obtained copies of the naval manuals of any other signatories of the Declaration of London, 1909; and, if so, if he would lay upon the Table of the House, or publish with, the Votes and Proceedings, any extracts from these manuals which deal with the question of the contraband nature of food in time of war?

Mr. McKENNA

The reply to the hon. Gentleman's question is in the negative.