CONTROL MEASURES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 59, 11 March 1937, Page 9

CONTROL MEASURES

TEXT OF BRITISH BILL

FINES FOR BREACHES

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received March 11, noon.) LONDON, March 10. The Government's proposals for controlling shipping to Spain are contained in the Merchant Shipping (Spanish Frontiers Observation) Bill, the text of which was issued today. •• ■ '

Each ship going to Spain must embark an observation officer at the prescribed place, and the officer may require the production of documents relating to cargo or cause any package to be opened. He may require the production of any passenger's passport, and will be present at the unloading of goods or the disembarkation of persons at any port in Spanish territory or in adjacent waters. A. master or any person aboard who obstructs an officer or gives false information is liable to a fine of not more than £100.

The Board of Trade is empowered to exempt ships regularly engaged in Spanish trade from certain provisions, on condition that they carry observing officers and pay additional expenses incurred. The Bill confers powers on naval officers to stop and examine the papers of ships in Spanish territorial waters. Masters failing to' comply will be liable to a fine of £100.