§ Sir V. BOWATERasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has received a communication from Messrs. Wills Brothers respecting defective or contaminated Australian canned fruits; whether he is aware that, although the Agent-General for New South Wales (through his brokers) sold the goods after they had arrived in London in the usual way, that is to say, duty paid ex wharf, London, the purchasers, on presenting a petition of right, were refused permission to commence an action in the Courts here; whether the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown has been taken; and on what grounds a fiat has been withheld?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. As regards the remaining parts, I understand that a petition of right was submitted in March, 1923, by Messrs Wills Brothers in respect of a claim arising out of the sale of certain Australian canned fruits, on behalf of the Agent-General for New South Wales. The petition of right was referred in the ordinary course to His Majesty's Attorney-General, who advised that the petition on its face showed a claim, if any, against the Government of New South Wales, and not against His Majesty's Government; and the petitioners were so informed.