§ 21. Mr. JACOBasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that negotiations have taken place for the sale of a certain island in the Bahama group to persons of United States nationality; and whether he is prepared to make a statement on the matter?
§ Mr. AMERYFrom the information at my disposal, I have no reason to think that the suggestion made in the first part of my hon. Friend's question is correct. As regards the latter part, I am already in communication with the Governor of the Bahamas in regard to the terms upon which portions of outlying islands may be leased to persons of British and of foreign nationality. I am not prepared to make a statement pending the receipt of the Governor's reply, but I may point out that neither lease nor sale of land in British territory to foreign individuals in any way alters the nationality of the territory.