§ Mr. WEDGWOODasked whether the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Government had called the attention of His Majesty's Government to the prospectus of the Anglo-Dutch Plantations of Java, Limited, and in doing so claimed the right to expropriate the estate; and whether, in view of the advertised advantage in this company of the right to forced labour for private profit, His Majesty's Government would refrain from giving any diplomatic support to the company in order that British shareholders may be saved from participating in a system indistinguishable from slavery?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As no appeal has been made by the Anglo-Dutch Plantations of Java, Limited, for the support of His Majesty's Government, the second part of the question is based on a hypothetical case, which I am not prepared to discuss; nor can I say without further information what is the true character of the labour referred to.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in the prospectus it is specifically stated that the company are able to compel the natives to work?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThey have not asked for our assistance, and when they do so it will be time enough to consider whether we ought to render it.