§ 50. Major O'NEILLasked the Prime Minister whether the islands of Spitzbergen now form a part of the British Empire; if so, to whom they previously owed allegiance; and under what system of government they are now being administered?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Spizbergen is a No Man's Land, and therefore has no regular system of government.
§ Major O'NEILLIs it a fact there are valuable coal deposits there? Is any effort being made to develop them?
Mr. HARMSWORTHYes; I understand there are coal deposits on the island, and various companies are making efforts to develop them.