HC Deb 28 February 1917 vol 90 cc2029-30
57. Mr. CURRIE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether protests have been lodged at the Treasury against the action of the Mortgage and Debenture Company, Limited; whether this company represented to its creditors that they would be acting patriotically and in conformity with the ascertained wishes of the Treasury in accepting 16s. in the £ for their debenture claims; whether this company's published accounts show that it is in a prosperous condition and perfectly well able to meet its debts in full; whether the Treasury is aware that certain debenture holders accepted the offer because they were led to believe that the Government wished them to do so; and whether the circular in question is to be dealt with under the Defence of the Realm Act or otherwise as an attempt to earn a profit of £200,000 at the expense of British citizens anxious to support the Treasury at this time?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am informed by the company that the offer has now been withdrawn.