§ 67. Mr. HORNERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade is prepared, pursuant to its powers under the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, Section 109, to appoint one or more competent inspectors to investigate either the affairs of the Marconi Company or such of the affairs of the Marconi Company as related to the flotation of the American Marconi Company and the issue of American Marconi shares, and to report thereon, if an application to do so is made by members of the Marconi Company holding not 1751 less than one-tenth of its issued shares and the other conditions of the Section are complied with?
Mr. BUXTONAny application for the appointment of an inspector with regard to the affairs of a company registered in the United Kingdom will receive careful consideration, provided that the conditions laid down in the Statute are complied with. I may perhaps add, though I do not know whether it has any bearing with regard to the company or companies which the hon. Member has in mind, that it is not the practice of the Board to appoint an inspector where an action is pending which raises all or any of the questions which would be raised before the inspector.
§ Mr. HORNERAs the Section is discretionary and not mandatory, what I want to get is a promise that the inspectors will be appointed provided the conditions are complied with?
Mr. BUXTONI cannot give an undertaking beforehand. When the conditions are complied with I will consider the matter on its merits.