asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a letter recently sent to a number of business men in Scotland by H. Nicholson, accountant, of 34, Annette Street, Glasgow, inviting their investments to assist in the shipment of liquor to America, and offering the return of the capital, together with 25 per cent. interest at the completion of the voyage, and stating that similar shipments leave the Clyde practically every week; and whether steps can be devised to suppress this traffic, which depends for its profit upon the evasion of the laws of a friendly State?

In reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the question whether steps can be taken to suppress this traffic has received careful consideration and it has been found that there are great difficulties in the way of framing suitable legislation without imposing restrictions which would seriously hamper legitimate trade. As the hon. Member is aware, a treaty with the United States has recently been laid before Parliament which should facilitate the control of smuggling into United territory.

Will the Government and the Under-Secretary have regard in this case to the difficulties and troubles explained by Sir Auckland Geddes last week as to the shameful humiliation of the Ambassador in America, who had again and again to make appeals on behalf of so-called British subjects?

Yes, Sir. That consideration will be taken into account.

Would this not be a suitable opportunity for using the new cruisers?

Is not the principal difficulty our own national policy of licences for exportation?

Perhaps the Glasgow Members will be able to exercise some control.