HC Deb 07 December 1911 vol 32 cc1592-4
Mr. T. M. HEALY

asked the name of the writer on whose authority the right hon. Gentleman stated that the Cork Free Press Company had not complied with the provisions of The Companies Act, 1908, which prescribe an annual meeting within a statutory period, and would he have any objection to the publication of the entire letter; is he aware that this company acted upon legal advice as to the date at which its meeting should be held; will he take care in future to communicate with the directors of the company attacked under cover of questions in this House, so that he may have a more complete view of the legal situation before making statements regarding them; and is he aware that the annual meeting of the Free Press Company was duly held last week, and that the resolutions were thereat unanimously approved by the shareholders?

Mr. ROBERTSON

My right hon. Friend has made no statement that the Cork Free Press Company, Limited, has not complied with the provisions of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. I have no knowledge of the facts stated in the last part of the question other than that derived from the terms of the question.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

The right hon. Gentleman, in his printed reply, said he had received a letter stating that this company had not complied with the provisions of the Act. I wish to know who sent that letter, and can the hon. Gentleman give the name of the writer?

Mr. ROBERTSON

That is a new question. The hon. Member's question on the Paper is: "If he will state the name of the writer on whose authority he stated that the Cork Free Press Company," etc. My right hon. Friend stated that he had received the letter, but that he did not endorse the statement.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

I have asked for the name of the author of the letter to be stated. That is a plain question. And can this letter be laid before the House?

Mr. ROBERTSON

That is a new statement, and I must ask the hon. Member to put the question down.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

I will put down the same question to-morrow I think I am entitled to an honest reply, which I have not got.

Mr. ROBERTSON

I have accurately answered the question.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

You have not; you have simply dodged the matter.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

asked whether the Freeman's Journal Company, Limited, failed to appoint an auditor at its last annual meeting; have the Board of Trade been solicited by any shareholder to appoint an auditor because of such failure; and, if so, will the President of the Board of Trade state the name and status of the auditor nominated by the Board of Trade, the date of his appointment, and the nature of the remuneration?

Mr. ROBERTSON

The Freeman's Journal, Limited, did not appoint an auditor at its last annual general meeting, and on the application of a shareholder the Board of Trade, on the 13th June last, appointed Sir William Plender, the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, auditor of the company for the current year at the same fee as had been paid to previous auditors.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

May I ask if Sir William Plender is the gentleman who was recently appointed by the Government a member of the Secret Financial Committee?

Mr. ROBERTSON

I am not aware.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

In consequence of the reply which I have received from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, on the Motion for Adjournment I will call attention to the action of the Government in respect of the "Freeman's Journal" and the Cork "Free Press."