§ Mr. INSKIPasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the judgments of the Court of Appeal, and particularly to the observations of Lord Justice Scrutton in the case of the "Porto Alexandre," upon the subject of the immunity of arrest of vessels belonging to sovereign independent States, notwithstanding their employment in ordinary trading voyages carrying privately owned cargoes; and whether any conversations have taken place with foreign Powers with a view to a modification of the rule at present decreed by international comity?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThis matter is being carefully considered by His Majesty's Government, and an inter-Departmental Committee is at present enquiring into the practice observed by all foreign Governments whose territories include a maritime seaboard. A further communication cannot be made until the result of these enquiries has been considered by the competent Departments concerned.