HC Deb 06 May 1915 vol 71 cc1242-3
15. Mr. BOOTH

asked whether the Swiss dye manufacturers attended at Whitehall recently and refused to be coerced into exclusive dealing with British Dyes, Limited; whether the chairman of the company has visited Basle by arrangement with the Board of Trade and what is the object of his visit; and what is the Government policy towards users in this country who object to this monopoly?

Mr. ROBERTSON

No suggestion as to exclusive dealing with British Dyes, Limited, has been made to the Swiss dye-making firms, and the answer to the second part of the question is also in the negative. I have no knowledge of any proposed monopoly such as is suggested in the last part of the question.

Mr. BOOTH

Will my hon. Friend say whether the Swiss dye manufacturers did attend at Whitehall recently?

Mr. ROBERTSON

That is so.

Mr. BOOTH

What was the object of the conference, and what was the pressure put upon them?

Mr. ROBERTSON

When the hon. Member makes suggestions as to pressure, perhaps he will give me notice?

Sir F. CAWLEY

Has any arrangement been made between the British Dyes, Limited, and the Society of Chemical Industries?

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

That does not arise.

16. Sir F. CAWLEY

asked whether Sir Mark Oldroyd has resigned the chairmanship of British Dyes, Limited; who is the new chairman; and whether he has been appointed with the approval of the Government?

Mr. ROBERTSON

I understand that owing to ill-health Sir Mark Oldroyd has found it necessary to resign the chairmanship of British Dyes, Limited, and that the hon. Member for Forfarshire (Mr. J. Falconer) has been appointed by the directors in his stead. The appointment is a matter solely for the directors of the company, and does not require Government approval.

Sir F. CAWLEY

May I ask if the hon. Member for Forfarshire was on the Advisory Committee or on the Committee which advised the Government?

Mr. ROBERTSON

I do not know to what Committee the hon. Baronet refers, and perhaps he will give me notice.

Mr. WATT

Is it not a fact that these directors are paid £10,000 a year for the management of British Dyes, Limited?

Mr. ROBERTSON

The figures were made public in the course of the Debate.

Mr. BUTCHER

What salary is the new chairman paid?

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

That is really a question which the hon. Gentleman ought to give notice of, and it does not arise out of the question on the Paper.