HC Deb 09 May 1912 vol 38 cc551-3
Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the concession in the Congo to Messrs. Lever Brothers was denounced in the German Reichstag on the 1st instant as being a violation of the Congo-German Convention; whether His Majesty's Government has assented to this denunciation; and whether the rights of other British merchants trading in the Congo are violated in the same way by the concession?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)

My attention has been called to the debates in the Reichstag to which the hon. Member refers, but I have not seen a full report. It does not seem that the concession granted to Messrs Lever Brothers is a violation of the provisions of the Berlin Act as contended by a private Member in that debate, nor have I received any representations to that effect from British subjects.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that Messrs. Lever have secured the exclusive right of collecting palm cones over an area of 14,000,000 acres, whether he does not consider that that will prevent other traders, whether German or British, collecting or purchasing from the natives in this area, and whether that is not an infringement of the Convention?

Sir E. GREY

I am not sure as to the extent of the land over which Messrs. Lever have a lease. I cannot say that the granting of the lease is an infringement of the Berlin Act, otherwise the Berlin Act would prevent the country being developed either in the interests of commerce or the natives.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the natives use these palm cones for food, drink, raiment, and everything else, including medicine, that these concessions are concessions of natural products, and that therefore the natives are deprived of their rights in these natural products?

Sir E. GREY

We give these leases in our own Colonies.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

But not like this.

Sir E. GREY

It is a question of degree. As at present advised, I am not told that there is in the concession granted to Messrs. Lever anything to which we can take exception as being an infringement of the Berlin Act.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Surely my right hon. Friend is aware that a concession like this could not possibly be granted in any British Colony—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member should give notice of the question.