111. Sir H. DALZIELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the firm of Castner Kellners asked to be allowed to tender, as well as Messrs. Levenstein and British Dyes, Limited, for the Ellesmere Port works; whether they subsequently withdrew their application, and can he give the reason; whether they are now making the intermediate phenyl-glycin for Messrs. Levenstein to make the indigo from; and whether they have any present interest in the Ellesmere Port works beyond contracting for the supply of the phenyl-glycin required for the manufacture?
Mr. RUNCIMANIn reply to an invitation to submit evidence of their ability to manufacture synthetic indigo if they desired to tender for the Port Ellesmere works, the Castner Kellner Alkali Company, Limited, informed the Board of Trade that, after full consideration, they had decided not to tender. I have no knowledge as to their reasons for this decision nor as to any arrangements between that company and Messrs. Levinstein for the supply of phenyl-glycin. So far as I am aware, the Castner Kellner Alkali Company, Limited, have no interest in the Port Ellesmere works.