§ 30. Mr. HUNTasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the subjects of countries now at war with the British Empire are shareholders in companies registered in the United Kingdom or in our Oversea Empire, he can take steps which will prevent these alien enemies from receiving dividends from these companies, either directly or through agents within the British Empire, during the period of the War?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I am issuing to the Press a notice from the Board of Trade directing joint stock companies that dividends or interest becoming due after the outbreak of war should not be paid to persons resident in enemy territories or in accordance with their instructions.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Messrs. Siemens Bros., under the title of the Siemens Dynamo Works, Limited, are announcing publicly that they have received a contract to supply the British Government with electric lamps for the ensuing twelve months; and whether he is aware that though this business is registered in England as a limited company with £600,000 capital in 120,000 shares, these shares are largely the property of alien enemies, 70,465 being held by Arnold W. von. Siemens, Karl von Siemens and George von Siemens, all of Berlin, 19,783 by Alexander von Siemens, and 19,210 by G. von Chauvin, who is registered here as an alien enemy; and other blocks of shares are hold by persons with German names, thus ensuring that practically the whole of the profits on such Government contracts and other orders for cables, etc., which have been given by His Majesty's Government to this firm would, in the ordinary course, accrue to the advantage of these alien enemies; and whether he will take steps to ensure that a Receiver be immediately appointed, so that while the plant and factories are used 364 for the production of articles required in this country, so that British workmen shall not be thrown out of work, there shall be no profits sent, during the currency of the War, to the King's enemies?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI think that the best, answer I can give to the hon. Member is to assure him that the general question of the position of limited companies in this country which are controlled by alien enemies is at the present time receiving the most careful consideration of His Majesty's Government. I cannot say more at present.