HC Deb 30 October 1906 vol 163 cc879-80
MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

I beg the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the case of a British subject, named Godden, who is the chief proprietor of the sulphate mines in the island of Curacoa, West Indies, who persists, for reasons of his own, in keeping the mines only partially employed, thereby depriving many people of work and bringing hardship upon the inhabitants; whether the Dutch Government, as a result of this, is proposing to enact a law to acquire all mines which are not being fully worked, paying the owners due compensation; whether Mr. Goddon has stated that he would secure the intervention of the British Government, should this be done; and whether he has any official authority for this statement.

SIR EDWARD GREY

The matter has been brought to my knowledge, as well as to that of my predecessor. A Bill has been introduced into the Nether-lands Chambers having for its object the regulation of mining in the Island of Curacoa and modelled on the laws of Netherland East India on the subject. I understand that the Bill has been drawn so as not to be retroactive. I have no information as to the statement to which the hon. Member alludes; the action of His Majesty's Government has been confined to oppressing unofficially to the Netherlands Government their hope, before the introduction of the Bill, that it would not in any way be detrimental to existing British interests.

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