HC Deb 29 September 1909 vol 11 cc1248-9
Mr. HART-DAVIES

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the proceedings of an English company called the Peruvian Amazon Company; whether any report as to the alleged ill-treatment of British subjects from Barbados has been made by the English Consul at Iquitos; and whether he will call for a report on the doings of this company from the local English Consul at Iquitos?

Mr. CATHCART WASON

asked if his attention has been directed to the charges made against the Peruvian Amazon Rubber Company, Salisbury House, E.C.; if he has been urged by the British directors of the said company or by any of the British shareholders to inquire of His Majesty's Peruvian Consul with reference to the same; and if he has acceded to their request, if made?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I had not heard of the existence of the company, and have no information about it. I will ask for a report on the subject.

Mr. HART-DAVIES

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the American Consul has already made a report to his Government on this company, and whether he can see his way to get hold of that report?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I was not aware of that.

Mr. CATHCART WASON

Do I understand the hon. Gentleman to say that he has not received a request as to this company to inquire into the allegations?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

That is so.

Mr. CATHCART WASON

May I ask whether full publicity will be given in our dependencies in this part as to the proceedings of the inquiry?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I think the first step will be to obtain the report for which I have promised to ask.