HC Deb 10 December 1906 vol 166 cc1549-50
MR. WEDGWOOD (Newcastle-under-Lyme)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any representations have been received from the Governor of the Straits Settlements as to the difficulty the Colony will have in raising the money to pay for the Tanjong Pagar Docks; whether the nationalisation of those docks at the price named in the arbitration award will involve any increase in the dock dues at Singapore; and whether any discussion has taken place between the Colonial Office and the dock company as to the possibility of returning to the status quo before the question of expropriation was raised.

MR. CHURCHILL

The Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that the Colony will have difficulty in raising the money required, or that the amount of the purchase price will involve an increase in the dock charges. The Answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.