HC Deb 24 July 1916 vol 84 cc1297-8
8. Mr. G. TERRELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue a list of the enemy shareholders in British companies which, up to the present, have been vested in the Public Trustee for sale; and whether arrangements can be made so that the outside public can have the opportunity of coming in and participating in the purchase of such shares?

Mr. HARCOURT

I do not think that a list of enemy shareholders whose shares have been vested in the Public Trustee would afford any useful information to anyone. The Public Trustee, I understand, takes such steps to bring to the notice of the public the shares which he is selling as are consistent with the interests of the company's business and of the British shareholders of the company.

Mr. BUTCHER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what opportunities the public have of learning that those shares are upon the market or to be sold?

Mr. HARCOURT

The Public Trustee takes what steps he thinks are desirable and necessary to advertise the fact that the shares are for sale. I do not know exactly at the moment what those steps are.