§ 12. Captain WRIGHTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has during the War made any contract or contracts with the Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company for the supply of condensed milk or other 1887 products and what are the terms of such contract or contracts; and if, before making any such contract, the Board of Admiralty, in view of the fact that the above company is a Swiss company whose headquarters are in Switzerland and shares are in the form of share warrants to bearer, made any inquiry as to the holders of the company's shares and, if so, were satisfied that none of the company's shares were held by enemy holders?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir. The Admiralty had contracts with this firm for years before the War, and supplies have also been obtained since the outbreak of hostilities. The placing of these contracts followed the usual procedure. The milk supplied to the Navy by the firm is all produced and prepared in England. The company, it has always been understood, is a genuine Swiss company, and it is understood that the great bulk of its capital is in Swiss hands. The question of ascertaining whether there are any enemy shareholders is being taken up by the Board of Trade.