§ 23. Mr. JOYCEasked the Home Secreetary whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made on behalf of the proprietor of Sanatogen that the Home Secretary had assented to the business being carried on for the benefit of the proprietor and also to a company being formed for the purpose of acquiring the business from the proprietor; whether the proprietor is an alien enemy; whether any such licence and sanction as alleged has been given, which would have the effect of enabling dealing by a company with such alien enemy; and whether any step is proposed to be taken to prevent the continuance of such a business for the benefit of an alien enemy?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe statement mentioned in the first paragraph of the question is untrue. The proprietor of the firm 185 is an enemy now in Germany, and application was made for permission to convert the business into an English limited company. I have declined to sanction such an arrangement, and effective steps will be taken to prevent any profits being remitted to the proprietor during the War.