§ 54. Mr. TOUCHEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to a statement of Mr. Giles Hunt, in the minutes of a meeting of the Legislative Council of the Gold Coast Colony on 28th January, to the effect that Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, and Messrs. Brunner, Mond, and Company have been assured that their concessions will not be interfered with, and that besides these two companies he did not consider that any other firm or person had a claim to consideration except the local merchants; will he say in what respect Messrs. Brunner, Mond, and Company are concerned, directly or indirectly, whether as represented by Messrs. Apol, Limited, or otherwise; and if the statement made by Mr. Giles Hunt is in accordance with the policy of the Government?
Mr. HARCOURTI have seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers. I understand that Messrs. Brunner, Mond, and Company's interests are practically identical with those of Messrs. Apol, and I have reason to believe that applications standing in the name of Messrs. Crosfield, Mr. Earle Trevor, and Mr. Frank Wheeler represent the same interests. The policy of His Majesty's Government as regards Messrs. Lever's concession is as stated in Cd. 6561, and as regards Messrs. Apol, as stated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 29th April. I have no responsibility for any statements made by Mr. Hunt.
§ Mr. TOUCHEAre these various applications, which are said to represent the same interests, in respect of separate concessions?
Mr. HARCOURTYes, I think so, but the hon. Member must not really expect me to carry all the details in my head.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODDid the Committee very strongly deprecate any extension of these concessions?