HC Deb 19 May 1915 vol 71 cc2324-5
48. Sir EDWARD CARSON

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the definition of "enemy subject" in the Trading with the Enemy Acts passed by the Commonwealth of Australia; whether such definition includes a company carried on or managed wholly or mainly for the benefit or on behalf of enemy subjects although registered or incorporated within the King's Dominions, and whether he will propose to Parliament a similar definition in respect of companies under similar conditions in this country?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I have not seen the Australian Statutes, but in this country emergency legislation has already secured that every company of the kind referred to is effectively controlled in the national interest, without prejudicing the interests of British shareholders with shares in the company. Any profits which in time of peace would belong to enemy shareholders are retained here, and will not be parted with save under the conditions stated in my answer to Question No. 47.