§ 4 Sir WILLIAM BULLasked (1) the President of the Board of Trade whether the option held by British 1120 Dyers, Limited, on the works of Messrs. Reid, Holliday, and Company contemplates the continuance of the manufacture of synthetic drugs by the new company; and, if not, what, if any, provision is being made by the Government to secure from other sources a sufficient supply of such drugs; (2) whether the option held by British Dyers, Limited, on the works of Messrs. Reid, Holliday, and Company would enable the present proprietors to resume business on their own account; and whether, especially, these proprietors would be able to act as agents or be interested in any agency for the sale, after the War, of German dyes in which they possess an unique experience; (3) whether the general public will be allowed to invest in the Government dye scheme; and whether, seeing that they are unable to give any orders for dyes, a special class of stock will be issued for such investors; and (4); whether, in view of the fact that there are many small firms in the country who use aniline dyes previously imported from Germany who have no free capital for investment in the Government dye scheme, it is intended that provision should be made for participation by such firms in the scheme if they are prepared to make a contract to obtain all the dyes they need which can be supplied from the new company?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)The option relates to the terms on which the business of Messrs. Reid, Holliday and Sons can be acquired if the new company think fit to do so, and it makes no reference to the products to be manufactured by the new company. I am advised that no provision such as that suggested by the hon. Member to secure the supply of synthetic drugs is necessary. The option includes the right to retain the services of the present chairman and managing director of the company or cither of them at the discretion of the new company. I understand that the new company invites applications for shares from users of dyes and colours and from others willing to assist in providing a supply thereof. In the case of the latter class of subscribers the question of taking dyes from the company does not arise and no special class of stock is contemplated. I am informed that no hard and fast rule is contemplated by the directors of the new company with regard to the scale of subscription which will entitle a participant to a supply of dyes. Cases in which firms 1121 dependent on a supply of dyes are bonâ fide unable to subscribe more than a limited amount of capital will, I am assured, be sympathetically dealt with on their merits.
§ 8. Mr. HEWINSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can inform the House if any proposals have been made on behalf of the Indian Government for the participation of Indian dye-users in the Government dye scheme; and, if so, will he give particulars?
§ 12. Lord C. BERESFORDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether dyes imported to this country from Germany will be paid for in gold; and, if not, what kind of goods will be allowed to be exported from this country to Germany in payment for such dyes?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo exchange of commodities is allowed, and direct payment is, of course, impossible. Otherwise holders of licences make their own arrangements as to mode of payment.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDIs a neutral country in the same position as this, or are we stopping dyes going to neutral countries?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANSo far as I know we are not stopping dyes going to neutral countries. I am not aware of any in transit.
§ 15 Mr. HEWINSasked (1) the President of the Board of Trade how German dyes and other enemy commodities for which licences are being granted are to be imported into the United Kingdom; in particular, whether these commodities are being obtained from stocks in neutral countries or from cargoes on enemy ships interned in British ports; (2) what is the earliest date on which it is expected that the new dye scheme will be in effective operation; and whether he can give any estimate of the proportion of the total British consumption which that scheme will provide at the end of twelve months from the present date; and (3) in respect of what commodities of enemy origin or manufacture licences to import into the United Kingdom have already been issued?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI do not think it is to the public interest to give the details asked for with respect to enemy goods imported under licence. To give details would furnish the enemy with precise in- 1122 formation as to the German products of which we stand in most urgent need and lead him to take measures to frustrate our efforts. For the same reason it is inexpedient to make any statement as to the sources from which and the charnels through which goods are obtained under licence. I may, however, say generally that these licences are only given in very exceptional circumstances to meet urgent British needs which cannot otherwise be satisfied. The Board of Trade are fully alive to the desirability of restricting the grant scope and duration of such licences as far as practicable. I regret I am not in a position to estimate the rate of progress likely to be made by the new company in supplying the needs of dye-users, but I think I can assure the hon. Member that there will be no avoidable delay in meeting this urgent problem.
§ Mr. HEWINSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he himself mentioned aniline dyes and explosives, two very important matters?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI used the word "explosives" as an illustration. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to have further particulars of the items, I shall be glad to let him see them privately, but I am sure he will see that it is objectionable to name them publicly.
21. Mr. DENNISSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Royal Society is both willing and anxious to undertake the organisation of the experts and students in chemical research now available in the universities, the university colleges, and technical schools throughout the United Kingdom, with a view to providing the technical assistance necessary for the success of any national dye scheme; and whether he will consider the advisability of availing himself of the services of that body for that purpose?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have just received a copy of a memorial forwarded on 4th March to the Prime Minister by the President of the Royal Society which is doubtless that to which the hon. Member alludes. The subject referred to in the Memorial will receive my careful consideration in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education.
§ Mr. LYNCHWill the right hon. Gentleman ask the Royal Society to simply 1123 report as to the educational substratum of this trade in Germany, that is to say, the whole technical education of Germany, which has contributed to their seizing the practical monopoly of this trade?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI scarcely think that arises out of the question. I think we are all glad to receive the opinion of the Royal Society on the subject.
§ 25. Sir J. D. REESasked whether the Government of India proposes to participate in the Government aniline dye scheme; and what steps, if any, are being taken to supply India with dyes other than such as are the natural products of the country and available in sufficient quantities for commercial purposes?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Charles Roberts)The Government of India are not participating in the aniline dye scheme, and their action has consisted in bringing the scheme to the notice of Indian manufacturers and traders. In this connection I would refer to the answer given by me to the hon. Member for the Everton Division of Liverpool on Thursday last.
§ Mr. HEWINSHas the Secretary of State made any proposition at all to the Dye Committee?
§ Mr. ROBERTSNo, Sir. I think the opinion of the Government of India has been obtained, but that no proposition has been made by the Secretary of State.
§ Sir J. D. REESAre spinners at present getting dyes for their wool other than indigo?
§ Mr. ROBERTSI think some dyes have been exported under licence, with proper permission already obtained.