9. Sir H. DALZIELasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has official information to the effect that Messrs. Jurgens or any of their allied companies in Holland have been called upon to pay fines by the Netherlands Overseas Trust for supplying goods to Germany; and can he state the total amount of fines that they have been called upon to pay?
§ Lord R. CECILOn 15th September, 1915, a fine of 300,000 florins was imposed on Messrs. Jurgens by the Netherlands Overseas Trust, because a quantity of cotton seed oil originally imported by them was exported to Germany by other firms into whose hands the oil had come. The Trust state that Messrs. Jurgens themselves had nothing to do with the illicit export. They had taken all possible precautions, but were the victims of a breach of confidence on the part of a broker who negotiated the sale of the oil to unscrupulous firms with a view to export. Messrs. Jurgens were, however, fined as being the original importers.
Sir H. DALZIELMay I ask whether it is the case that they made £75,000 out of this deal and whether the Government are still anxious that they should be allowed to buy British properties in Nigeria?
§ Lord R. CECILI have nothing to do with Nigeria, and as to the other matter I am not aware.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask if it is not the case that the chief factory of Messrs. Jurgens is actually in Germany and not in Holland?
§ Lord R. CECILI should like notice of that question. I do not think that is an accurate statement.