§ 36. Mr. BURNETTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign. Affairs if he is now in a position to state whether the Brazilian authorities have agreed to meet the grievances of British subjects who have invested their savings in the Leopoldina Railway and the Cantareira companies?
§ 33. Sir ALAN McLEANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any result of the Brazilian official examination of the Leopoldina Company's losses has been arrived at; and, if not, will he now request the Rio de Janeiro authorities to remedy the grievances of the British investors?
§ Mr. EDENThe authorities of the State of Rio de Janeiro have, as my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton (Sir J. Haslam) was informed on the 26th June, appointed a commission to examine the books of the Brazilian company in which the Leopoldina Terminal Company has a holding interest, for the purpose of obtaining detailed proof that losses have actually been incurred. Since the inquiry is of a highly technical nature, and the investigation of the books is, I understand, proceeding as far back as the year 1911, it is anticipated that some delay must occur before this investigation is completed. As stated on the 25th June, my right hon. Friend does not consider that, pending the result of this inquiry, representations to the Brazilian Government would serve any useful purpose.