HC Deb 05 April 1889 vol 334 cc1715-7
MR. LABOUCHERE

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a Company has been formed, called the Gold Fields of South Africa Company, under the Limited Liability Laws of this country, with a view to obtain capital to work a portion of the concession granted by Lo Bengula to Mr. Rudd, with considerable monetary advantages to that gentleman and to those who are his partners in the concession; and whether he will explicitly state that Her Majesty's Government is not prepared to interfere in any way in order to maintain any rights which may have been granted under this concession to British subjects?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. DE WORMS, Liverpool,) East Toxteth

I have not such information as would enable me to answer the first question put by the hon. Member, because, as I have frequently explained in the House, these concessions are altogether beyond the cognizance and jurisdiction of Her Majesty's Government, which cannot, and does not attempt to, control them. It is understood, however, that the gold fields of the South Africa Company was formed long before the concession was granted to Mr. Rudd and his associates, who acted independently of that Company. In answer to the second question, Her Majesty's Government are not prepared, under existing circumstances, to interfere in any way. They could not advise Lo Bengula to break any concession already granted, though they might advise him to modify it. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for the St. Austell Division on March 15th, Lo Bengula has been recommended not to grant concessions without careful consideration and advice, and not to grant monopolies to individuals.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what is the difference between breaking a concession and modifying a concession?

*BARON H. DE WORMS

I think the hon. Gentleman knows quite well what is the difference.

MR. BRADLAUGH

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government have changed their policy since May last, and whether the recommendations to Lo Bengula were made in accordance with the policy declared in writing by Lord Knutsford?

*BARON H. DE WORMS

The Government have not in any way changed their policy.

MR. BRADLAUGH

Did not Lord Knutsford declare in writing that no concession would be approved which had not been made known to the High Court?

*BARON H. DE WORMS

If the hon. Gentleman will put a question on the Paper I shall be glad to give him an answer.