HC Deb 28 July 1908 vol 193 cc1228-9
MR. H. GOOCH (Camberwell, Peckham)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the cancellation by the Venezuelan Government of certain concessions held by British subjects; and, if so, what steps he has taken or proposes to take in the matter.

SIR EDWARD GREY

I am aware that the Venezuelan Government have cancelled two concessions, the one for the manufacture and the sale of matches, originally granted to a Venezuelan citizen and subsequently transferred to a Venezuelan company, and the other for working the salt deposits of Venezuela, originally granted to a British subject and subsequently transferred to a Venezuelan company, the shares of both enterprises being now, it is understood, controlled by two British companies respectively. The matter is at present under consideration; it presents many difficulties owing to local peculiarities which operate adversely to the interests of all countries.