§ 63. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make public a list of all firms and companies which have been declared enemies in any of His Majesty's self-governing Dominions; and if he will say whether all such firms and companies are officially considered as enemies in the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe question whether or not a particular firm or company is permitted to trade in this country can only be determined by United Kingdom law and not by reference to any action taken under local law in another part of the Empire. I see no necessity to publish a list such as is suggested.
§ Mr. McNEILLCan the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention to treat enemy firms in this country in the same way that they are treated in the Dominions; and whether a firm which is treated as an enemy in the Dominions will be treated as an enemy here?
§ Mr. PRETYMANWe can only act here under the law of the United Kingdom.
§ Sir E. CARSONDoes not the hon. Gentleman consider that it is an anomaly to treat a firm as an enemy in one part of the Kingdom and not in another part of the Kingdom; and, if that be so, is it not necessary to alter the law, if we have not the power?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe circumstances of each case have to be considered. I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the hon. Gentleman take the opinion of the Law Officers on this question?
§ 75. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, after two years and a quarter of war, no steps have yet been taken to sell the premises of the German banks or of the Hamburg-Amerika Shipping Company in London, such course being the only effectual means of preventing their continuing to trade here after the War; and whether he will make a declaration on the part of the Government as to the Cabinet's intentions in this and similar cases?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWith regard to the German banks, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday to the hon. and learned Member for the City, 1415 of York. The premises of the Hamburg-Amerika Line were until recently commandeered by the War Office, and are now, I understand, partly occupied by the Admiralty. But I am making further inquiries into the exact position and will communicate again with my hon. Friend.
§ 85. Mr. R. GWYNNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Société Suisse pour Valeurs de Metaux, Basle, which is identical with the Schweizerische Gesellschaft fur Mctall-werke, Basle, was a company promoted by the Metallgesellschaft, of Frankfurt; and whether, on account of this Swiss company holding a large number of the shares of Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, he can say if the Metallgesell schaft continues to be interested in Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI am informed that the Swiss company referred to was promoted by the Metallgesellschaft, which, through the shareholding of the Swiss company, has an indirect interest in 11,875 shares out of the issued capital of 95,000 shares in Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited. That company recently applied to the Board of Trade for permission to initiate negotiations for the acquisition of the shares belongng to the Swiss company by British subjects.
§ Sir CHARLES HENRYIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the existing opinion that this process of juggling with shares will not have the desired effect?
§ 86. Mr. GWYNNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the American Metal Company of New York is a concern which is mainly directed by German-born subjects; whether the Metallgesell-schaft and Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, are largely interested in this company; and whether he was consulted as regards giving permission for Mr. Frank Baer, of Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, a German-born subject who had been refused exemption from military service, to go to America and have the opportunity of uncensored intercourse with the American Metal Company?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI have no official information as to the nationality of the directors of the American Metal Company of New York, but I am informed that they are all American subjects of whom half are German-born and half are American-horn. Both the Metallgesellschaft and 1416 Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, are largely interested in the company. I have no record of having been consulted with regard to Mr. Frank Baer being given permission to go to America, but the object of his visit was to conduct negotiations which had been approved by the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWhen the hon. Gentleman says he has no records, how does he know what the object was of Mr. Baer's going to America?
§ Mr. PRETYMANCertain negotiations that had been referred to them were sanctioned or approved by the Board of Trade, but, so far as I can trace it, we had no knowledge, and we were not consulted, as to who was to carry out those negotiations.
§ Sir C. HENRYCan the hon. Gentleman say who was consulted?
§ Sir E. CARSONMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the American Metal Company is held to be an enemy company in the Colonies?
§ Mr. PRETYMANIn Australia; but I must have notice of the question. The answer is Yes, as to the Commonwealth of Australia, where the company is treated as an enemy company. As I answered the other day, I understand that they have applied to be removed.
§ Mr. W. YOUNGIf in Australia, why not here?
§ Mr. BOOTHDid not the hon. Gentleman say in answer to a question of mine a few days ago that he was entirely unaware of the object of Mr. Baer's visit to America, and am I to understand that now he knows he went there to do something for the Board of Trade? Is this the same man?
§ Mr. PRETYMANHe was not sent to do anything for the Board of Trade. The Department was consulted as to negotiation taking place between the Merton-Company and this American company, and the Beard of Trade, at any rate, approved of the negotiations being undertaken. We had no knowledge that Mr. Baer was to conduct those negotiations.
§ Mr. BOOTHAre we to understand that this Mr. Baer can come to this country and go from this country as he pleases, and at his own option, and he an enemy?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI think Mr. Baer is a British subject.
§ Major-General IVOR PHILIPPSIs he not liable for military service?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI do not know.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWhat were those negotiations?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman has already given his answer.
§ 88. Mr. R. GWYNNEasked the Minister of Munitions whether the Government are still purchasing goods from Messrs. H. and R. Merton and Company or whether they are acting for the Government in any capacity; and, if so, is he unable to find a British firm without alien or enemy connections to carry out this work?
The PARLIAMENTARY (MILITARY) SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. Primrose)Messrs. Mertons do not act for the Government. They are given the opportunity from time to time of tendering with other important firms for the supply of certain metals. So far as the Ministry are aware, enemy connections have no influence or share in the present conduct of business by the firm. I may add that the whole question of metal economy and purchase is being most carefully reviewed at the present time.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWill the hon. Gentleman take the trouble to find out whether there are any enemy connections or not?
§ Sir E. CARSONIs it not the fact that the question of the dealing with this Merton Company has been under consideration for two and a half years, and when will the consideration come to an end?