HC Deb 14 May 1896 vol 40 c1324
SIR JOHN KENNAWAY (Devon, Honiton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether it is a fact that the gold plate and other articles taken at Kumasi, said to be worth £2,000, have been placed in the hands of a London jeweller for sale; and, whether they could be retained for the country?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.

All the specimens of any particular value taken at Kumasi have been reserved, and will be added to the collection of gold ornaments, etc., belonging to the Gold Coast Government which is deposited in the Imperial Institute. The British Museum already has better specimens of the same work; and in these circumstances it has been decided to sell the remainder, as there would be no object in keeping them.

MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he did not think it would be in accordance with the practice of civilised nations to return these valuable articles to the countries from which they came?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

The hon. Gentleman assumes that they are valuable, and I think I have already shown by my answers on previous occasions that they have no value other than the intrinsic value of the gold upon them and with which they are plated. I do not think it is the practice of civilised nations under such circumstances to return such articles to the countries from which they came.