§ Sir T. Mooreasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what information he has received indicating that ships for Germany are now being built in Sweden?
Mr. AlexanderI presume that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind recent Press reports from Sweden that a number of trawlers are being built in that country to German order. The Admiralty has received similar reports, and certain details in their design indicate that these trawlers are intended to be used for naval purposes. The building or fitting out in a neutral country of vessels for warlike uses to the order of a belligerent is prohibited by international law, and the Foreign Office have therefore sent instructions to His Majesty's Minister to take the question up strongly with the Swedish Government.