HC Deb 07 August 1885 vol 300 cc1446-9
MR. WILLIAMSON

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the proposed action of Her Majesty's Government on behalf of Peruvian bondholders has been suggested to them by any Foreign Power; whether it is the case that, in commenting on its contents, in a letter to the chairman of the bondholders, dated 24th November 1884, Lord Granville expressed general satisfaction with the Note of the Chilian Government of 5th June 1884, and made citations from it which clearly pointed to the necessity for first legally establishing the claims of creditors in the tribunals of Chili; whether the present Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has, in his letter of 28th July 1885, assumed the existence of a valid hypothecation of territory or property without its having been legally established; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will, in the circumstances, agree to reconsider the course they had proposed to take, so as to avoid disturbing friendly relations with Chili, and indirectly injuring our commerce with that country?

SIR HENRY TYLER

Before my right hon. Friend answers this Question, I should like to ask him whether he is aware that the bon. Member for St. Andrews (Mr. Williamson) is a member of the firm of Williamson, Balfour, & Co., of Valparaiso; whether he is aware of the relations of that firm to the Chilian Government with regard to contracts and other matters and to the proposed loan; and, whether he is aware that the hon. Member for St. Andrews is familiarly known as the hon. Member for Santiago, Chili?

MR. WILLIAMSON

I must appeal to you, Mr. Speaker, as a matter of Privilege. The hon. Member for Harwich (Sir Henry Tyler) put the same Question to me, when I last year put a Question to the then Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He put exactly the same Question, and insinuated that I, as a member of that firm in Valparaiso, had dealings and contracts with the Chilian Government. I beg, Sir, to let you and the House understand that I am a partner of that firm, and that we have never had any contracts or business relations with the Chilian Government, and that I put this Question as a matter of public- interest.

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BOURKE)

It is not for me to reply to the Question of my hon. Friend behind me (Sir Henry Tyler).

MR. WILLIAMSON

But, Mr. Speaker, is there not an infringement of Privilege on the part of the hon. Member opposite (Sir Henry Tyler)? Because I answered the Question last year, and he knows perfectly well——

MR. SPEAKER

I think the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Williamson) has put himself quite right with the House in making the statement he has made, and I do not think there is any necessity for any further notice being taken.

SIR. HENRY TYLER

I shall be very happy to bring forward my authority for the statement on which my Questions are founded.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE

As regards the first part of the Question of the hon. Member (Mr. Williamson), I have to say that I do not think that I should be justified in stating, at the present time, what diplomatic communications have taken place on the subject of the joint representation made to the Chilian Government. As regards the second part, I cannot say that I assent to the interpretation placed by the hon. Member on the letter referred to. That letter merely says that— Her Majesty's Government, while not conceding the soundness of all the propositions put forward in the Chilian reply, accept with satisfaction the assurance contained in it, that the position of the creditors of Peru in relation to the ceded territory, and as affected by the cession, will be equitably considered by the Chilian Government. As regards the third part, the letter referred to contains no assumption of legal rights, but merely states facts. As regards the last part, Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that there is nothing in the course which they have taken calculated to disturb friendly relations with Chili, or to injure our commerce with that country, and that no circumstances have been shown which call for a reconsideration of the matter.

MR. WILLIAMSON

With reference to the answer which the right hon. Gentleman has given me, I am perfectly satisfied with his reply to the second paragraph of my Question, and I hope—[Cries of "Order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. WILLIAMSON

I have to ask that before those representations—[Renewed cries of "Order!"]—are sent out to the Chilian Government—the joint re- presentations of the Powers—["Order!"]—I have to ask whether the Government will not more fully consider this whole matter? He has admitted——[Renewed cries of "Order!"]

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE

I have said already that Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that there is no need for any reconsideration of the matter.