HC Deb 03 August 1916 vol 85 cc486-7
40. Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will supply a report of the reasons given by the War Office, the Admiralty, and his Department to the Advisory Committee on enemy trading, with a view to suspend or stay the winding-up or sale of the forty-six cases mentioned in their Report under headings (4) and (5)?

Mr. HARCOURT

The War Office informed the Board of Trade of the nature of the supplies they were obtaining from certain firms which they considered it inexpedient to close, and the Admiralty informed the Board of Trade that it was considered inexpedient to close certain businesses from the point of view of naval interests. These communications were referred by the Board of Trade to the Advisory Committee. There were, as stated in the Report, only nine such cases. No representations have ever been made by the Board to the Advisory Committee with a view to postpone the winding-up or sale of any enemy business.

Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNER

If in consequence of representations from the War Office and the Admiralty the winding-up of these companies is stayed, ought not arrangements to be made so that the profits of the businesses should flow into the British Treasury and not be carried on through transactions with the War Office for the benefit of German firms?

Mr. HARCOURT

I think that is probably being done. If the hon. Member will give me notice, I will give him definite information on the point.

83. Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring in a Bill to provide that all profits of the forty-six concerns which are permitted to continue trading by the Advisory Committee shall be treated as excess profits, and collected on behalf of the general revenue of the country without any deduction except salaries and expenses?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I do not think that such legislation would be advisable. In suitable cases the profits are already under the Trading With the Enemy Acts vested in the Public Trustee to be disposed of as may be thought proper after the declaration of peace.

Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNER

Is it not a fact that the profits of these companies amount to at least £500,000, permitted by the Government to be made on behalf of German firms? Would it not be a considerable accession to our revenue if that sum were brought in from these German firms?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The money is in the hands of the Public Trustee, and will remain in his hands until determination is made by Parliament to make disposal of the money, but I do not think excess profits is at all a suitable way to deal with it.

Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNER

Is it a fact that the Public Trustee merely holds these moneys as bankers on behalf of the Germans?