HC Deb 21 November 1916 vol 87 c1255W
Commander BELLAIRS

asked, in view of the mineral wealth of Spitzbergen, whether the Government will take care that no German concessions are pegged out in the islands either by Germans or their agents?

Lord R. CECIL

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, Spitzbergen is not part of the British Dominions, and I am consequently precluded from giving an undertaking such as he desires. Whether any concession pegged out during the War will be recognised at the peace is of course another question.