HC Deb 02 May 1944 vol 399 cc1213-4W
Sir A. Pownall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the action of the Argentine Government in threatening to take over at a figure far below their value the assets of the Primitiva Gas Company; and what action he proposes to take to protect the interest of British shareholders.

Mr. George Hall

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Ambassador at Buenos Aires has for some years lent the Primitiva Gas Company all such support as he properly could and he will continue to do so. On the instructions of my right hon. Friend he has taken steps to ensure that the competent Argentine authorities are aware of the close attention with which His Majesty's Government are watching the development of this case, with particular reference to the question whether the amount of compensation to be paid to the Company will, as provided by Argentine law, be either mutually agreed or deter- mined by the Supreme Court on the basis of a valuation by experts appointed by both parties.