HC Deb 01 November 1916 vol 86 cc1703-5
26. Mr. LESLIE SCOTT

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on which day he will lay upon the Table the conditions of sale of enemy properties in Nigeria; and whether this House will be given an opportunity of discussing the whole matter before the sale takes place?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The conditions of sale were laid on the Table yesterday. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the discussion suggested by my hon. Friend, but if there is any general desire for it I am sure that my right hon. Friend would give facilities for it.

Mr. R. McNEILL

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many details in the Bill and the conditions of sale, such as the discretion of the Governor, which are causing a great deal of disquiet in this country, and does he not think that it would be better to have them considered in this House?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am not aware of any disquiet that has been caused. As I have already said, if there is any general desire for a discussion, I am aure that the Prime Minister will be willing to arrange it.

Commander WEDGWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the conditions of sale neutrals are allowed to purchase these enemy properties m Nigeria, thereby establishing further alien control?

Sir E. CARSON

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it important that the House should once for all settle whether these properties, which are derived from winding-up German businesses, ought not to be handed over to British rather than neutral countries, with a view to developing these Colonies for ourselves?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As there seems to be some general desire to discuss the matter, if my right hon. Friend will put a question to the Prime Minister to-morrow I shall discuss it with him in the meantime.

Mr. SCOTT

Will the conditions of sale be at the disposal of the House so that we can see what are the proposals of the Government in Nigeria?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Hon. Members have the opportunity of examining them. They would be a voluminous thing to circulate.

Mr. SCOTT

Can the Bill be circulated?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I will consider that.

27. Mr. SCOTT

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will be prepared to reconsider his decision that; the enemy properties in Nigeria are not to> be sold to an all-British company, with official representation on its board of directors, if such company were willing to submit to a fair-price clause or other effective arrangements to ensure the payment of fair prices to the natives for their produce?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not know to what decision my hon. Friend is referring. Any British company which is not acting: on behalf of enemy interests will be able to bid for the properties at the auction.

Mr. ASHLEY

How can you tell whether he is bidding for an enemy or not?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The provisions in the conditions of sale make every effort to secure—I believe successfully; we are-quite ready to discuss it—that the property shall not be transferred to enemies, at any time.

Sir E. CARSON

Will the right hon.. Gentleman consider the offer of a British-company to take over these properties at a fair valuation made by the Government?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have seen no such definite offer on behalf of any British company. All the information which I have about it is a letter from a very influential gentleman, the chairman of the West African Committee, sending me-copies of the questions which were going; to be put by my hon. Friend, and saying that if the suggestion were agreed to they should be prepared to form a company.

Sir E. CARSON

My right hon. Friend has not answered what I asked. Will he consider, if the offer is made to the Government, whether they would sell at a fair valuation?

Mr. BONAR LAW

If the matter is to be discussed, it can be dealt with very much better in Debate than by question and answer.

Mr. MOLTENO

As there is already a very close combination, should we do anything to make that combination still more complete?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Of course, that kind of consideration has had weight with the Colonial Office in the decision which they have taken.

Mr. SCOTT

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that one great advantage of an all-British company would be greater Government control for the purpose of insuring to natives a fair price for their products?