HC Deb 12 April 1911 vol 24 c468
Mr. HAMILTON BENN

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in the case of the registration of Form E, according to the Companies Consolidation Act, 1908, the officials at Somerset House have refused to accept a balance sheet in which the value of goodwill of licensed property was not shown separately from the other value of such property, although no such distinction was asked for in the case of property not being licensed property?

Mr. BUXTON

As I informed the hon. Member on 30th March last, in reply to a question which he then asked me, the separation of goodwill free from other assets is asked for in all cases where goodwill is shown as an asset of the company, and no distinction whatever is made between licensed and unlicensed property in this respect.

Mr. HAMILTON BENN

Would the right hon. Gentleman be convinced that his answer is incorrect if I were to produce to him the balance sheet and an affidavit of the secretary and the files of Somerset House?

Mr. BUXTON

I am always open to be convinced if I am in the wrong.