HC Deb 20 June 1910 vol 18 cc7-9
Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether His Majesty's Government has received information from either the Peruvian or Colombian Governments regarding the fate of David Serrana, of La Reserva, and Ildefonso Gonzalez, who, with a number of their employés, are reported to have been first tortured and then murdered by the agents of a British company; and, if such information has not been received, will His Majesty's Government direct inquiries as to these two cases to the Governments of Peru and Colombia; (2) whether the Colombian Foreign Minister publicly denounced, on 3rd June, 1908, the Peruvian Amazon Company for crimes committed in the Putumayo Valley, South America, and warned them that full compensation would be demanded on behalf of the surviving relatives for such crimes; and will he request the Colombian Government to place the information it possesses at the disposal of His Majesty's Government; (3) whether he will ascertain the fate of the widows and children of David Serrano, Ildefonso Gonzalez, and some of their employés; and, if they are still held prisoners by the agents of the British company exploiting the Putumayo Valley, will he request the Peruvian Government to secure their early release from their captors, and take steps to compensate them for outrages to which they are reported to have been subjected by the agents of the Peruvian Amazon Company?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The Commission of Inquiry, which is shortly proceeding to the Putumayo Valley, will doubtless investigate this matter, with a view to ascertain to what extent, if any, the officials of the Peruvian Amazon Company were implicated in the alleged atrocities. As the persons who are said to have been murdered or held prisoners in the manner described are understood to have been Colombian citizens, the matter concerns the Colombian Government. We are inquiring whether they have any information. We are not aware of the action of the Colombian Minister for Foreign Affairs to which the hon. Member refers.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Has any reply been sent to the Colombian Government? Have you wired?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

We have not wired as yet.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

In view of the fact that this Commission is going out very soon, will His Majesty's Government take steps to find out from the Colombian Government at the earliest possible moment what did happen to these people at the hands of the British company?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I think the hon. Gentleman is rather assuming as facts what are subjects for inquiry.

Mr. REES

May I ask whether this is a British company or not, and what would be the action taken? Does the Government propose to pursue wrong-doers for that reason in foreign territory?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

So far as I understand, the charge by the Colombian Government is that these atrocities were committed by Peruvians.