§ 19. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies with regard to the proposals which are now, or recently have been, under consideration for the grant of an exclusive licence for the felling of mahogany on the Crown lands, or any portion thereof, on the Belize River, in British Honduras, the proposed grantee being the Belize Estate and Produce Company, registered in London, whether, before any such exclusive licence is issued, he will satisfy himself that it is in the public interest; and whether he will be prepared to lay papers in the Library explaining the terms of the licence and giving the names of the beneficial owners of the company?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)A proposal which may be that to which the hon. Member refers was submitted to the British Honduras Government by the Belize Estate and Produce Company. I understand that the company were informed by the British Honduras Government on 14th March that consideration of their application would be deferred pending investigation of the area in question by the Forestry Department; and that in due course it was probable that Government would invite tenders for mahogany cutting on the lands in question. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this company already holds one-fifth of the total area of British Honduras, and before any further concessions are given to this organisation will he make the fullest inquiry?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThis is one of the most substantial, best run and oldest companies in British Honduras. It has been engaged for many years in the cutting and export of mahogany timber and I do not think that any further investigations are necessary.
§ Mr. HARDIECan my right hon. Friend tell us what is the class of labour used in this timber felling? Are any of the workers working under compound or slave conditions?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe population in British Honduras is, of course, an extremely mixed one, but there is no such thing as compounds or anything of that kind.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONDoes the fact that this company is an old-established one make it any better that it should hold more than one-fifth of the Colony?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThat is not the point. The exploitation of the tropical forest and the getting out of the timber is a technical job, and an old-established company is much more likely to get that timber out for the use of humanity than people who know nothing about it. I have no objection to this company, and see no reason why any reflection should be cast on it.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs it not the case that they are asking for exclusive ownership?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI have no evidence to that effect.