§ 68. Major HUNTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that legal proceedings are being threatened against British tradesmen for money owing to a German firm now being wound up; and could he say whether it is the intention of the Government that British firms should be compelled to pay money to enemy firms to be held by the Public Trustee for the benefit of enemy firms after the War?
Mr. HARCOURTYes, Sir. A Controller appointed to conduct the winding—up of a business under Section 1 of the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, must realise the assets, including book debts, in order that he may, in the first instance, pay debts due to creditors other than enemy creditors If there is any surplus, representing amounts due to enemy creditors or to enemy owners of the business, it is paid to the Public Trustee to be dealt with after the termination of the War as may be directed by Order in Council.