§ 105. Mr. RENDALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give, in answer to this question, or will grant a Return showing the manner in which German firms and businesses have been dealt with in England, France, and Italy, respectively?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Prety-man)German businesses in this country are dealt with by appointing supervisors of the businesses and either by winding up the business and paying the non-enemy creditors under Section 1 of the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, or by vesting the enemy interest in the Public Trustee for sale under Section 4 of that Act. I am not in a position to furnish particulars with regard to the action which has been taken in France and Italy.
§ Mr. RENDALLWill the hon. Gentleman not make those inquiries, so that we may know what the differences are?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI cannot say that at present I am convinced that there will be any advantage gained by making those inquiries, in view of the present pressure.
§ Mr. RENDALLHow can the hon. Gentleman know that if he does not know what the facts are?
§ Mr. BOOTHWill the hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question about German firms or companies, and state what is being done with companies as apart from other businesses? Is he putting the companies to an end?
§ Mr. PRETYMANNo legislation is necessary to bring companies to an end. When a company has no business, its existence can be terminated by the Registrar of Companies.
§ Mr. PRETYMANI cannot say exactly what is being done. It will be or is being done, but it may require a good deal of care.
§ Mr. RENDALLWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiry as to other countries, so that we may know what is the procedure adopted there and compare it with what is done here?