59. Major NEWMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the South-West Africa Company, which owns more than 40,000 square miles of mining rights in the territory formerly known as German South-West Africa, has for some time past been endeavouring to obtain leave to acquire for cash the holding in the company owned by enemy aliens; and can he say why the effort of the company to free itself of its enemy shareholders has been thus far without result?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Hewins)It is the case that His Majesty's Government were asked to agree to the German shareholders of this company being approached with a view to the acquisition of their shares in the company. It was, however, thought that there was not sufficient reason to justify permission being given for negotiations of this kind with the enemy during the War.