§ Mr. STANTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent expulsion of Captain Tupper and Mr. Tom Chambers, of the Sailors' and Firemen's Union, from Gothenburg is dictated by German influence; whether he is aware that two-thirds of the merchants of Gothenburg are commercial agents of 903W Germany, and that much trade is proceeding with Germany from this city in chemical wood-pulp, cyanamide, carbide of calcium, aeroplane timber, etc., for war supplies in Germany; whether he is aware that certain persons in England owning industrial interests in Sweden and Norway fear that Captain Tupper and Mr. Chambers will ascertain how unpatriotic British capital has been employed to supply the enemy; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the disposal of the goods of every joint stock company on the British register owning works or conducting business in Norway, Sweden, or Denmark, and take steps to punish all trading with the enemy?
§ Lord R. CECILWith regard to the first and fourth parts of the hon. Member's question, I have no information to show that the recent expulsion of Captain Tupper and Mr. Thomas Chambers was dictated by German influence, or that certain persons in England fear that Captain Tupper and Mr. Chambers will ascertain how unpatriotic British capital has been employed to supply the enemy, but I shall be glad to receive any information on these points which my hon. Friend can furnish. As regards the second and third parts, His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the extent of trade between Gothenburg and Germany. With regard to the fifth part of the question, I should welcome the assistance of my hon. Friend in securing the detection and conviction of any British subject guilty of trading with the enemy.