24. Mr. NEWDEGATEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any enactment in the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1914, to prevent money received by-the Public Trustee as profits made by German or other alien enemy holders of investments in controlled or other firms being handed over to our enemies after the War; whether he can inform the House in how many controlled firms there are enemy alien shareholders; and whether it is the intention of the Government to modify the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1914, in such a way as to prevent these profits, when 1637 once lodged with the Public Trustee, being handed over to Germany or other alien enemy countries after the War?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Harcourt)Section 5 of the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1914, provides that after the termination of the War the Public Trustee shall deal with any money paid to him under the Trading With the Enemy Acts in such manner as may be directed by Order in Council. Full control is thus retained over all money paid to the Public Trustee, and no alteration of the provisions of the Act is necessary. I am unable to state in how many companies owning controlled establishments there may be some enemy shareholders.
§ Mr. HARCOURTNo, Sir. I do not think I can.
Mr. NEWDEGATEIs it not a fact that in the book which gives the names of people owning shares in companies the names of aliens are given as well as those of people in this country; and can the right hon. Gentleman not give a Return of those aliens who hold shares in companies which are now controlled companies and providing munitions for carrying on the War?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI do not think the names would give the fact that the individual was an alien. It would mean an enormous number of inquiries, which I am afraid the Board of Trade is not in a position to make.