§ 61. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the unsatisfactory circumstances attending the sale on Wednesday, 8th November, at the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, of the enemy holdings in the firm of Conrad William Schmidt (F. A. Glaeser), Limited, he will refuse his assent to a completion of the transaction, retain possession of the shares, and arrange for a fresh sale with a different and more competent firm of auctioneers; whether he is aware of the manner in which the sale was advertised, and that no effort was made to dispose of the shares in small quantities; that the inhabitants of the county borough of West Ham, in which the works are situated, found themselves in such a position that they were unable to bid for shares in such quantities as their means enabled them; who was the buyer; and whether in the conduct of these sales in future care will be taken that such holdings are properly offered to the British public?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI am not aware of any unsatisfactory circumstances in connection with the sale of the shares of Conrad William Schmidt (F. A. Glaeser), Limited, which was conducted by a well-known and competent firm of auctioneers. It was considered advisable to offer the shares in one lot "before offering them in small quantities in order to give an intending purchaser an opportunity of acquiring the whole business. The shares were purchased by Messrs. Honeywill.