HC Deb 28 March 1917 vol 92 cc396-7
11. Mr. BOOTH

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now state whether Mr. Frank Baer, a German-born subject and a member of the firm of Messrs. Henry It. Merton and Company, Limited, who was permitted to go to New York for the purpose of the purchase of enemy interests in the Ore Trading Company, which negotiations proved abortive, availed himself of the opportunity to make purchases in America of copper or other metals; and, if so, whether such action might have been instrumental in raising the prices of materials, the supply of which is of great importance to this country and to the Allies.

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Major Sir Worthington Evans)

I have been asked to answer this question. I understand that the purchase of electrolytic copper were made in the United States by Messrs. Merton during Mr. Baer's visit, but I am unable to say whether Mr. Baer negotiated those purchases. As my hon. Friend knows, any purchase tends to raise prices, but I have no information to show that these particular purchases had, in fact, this effect.

Mr. BOOTH

Are we to understand that this man will now be allowed to leave America and go to another neutral country and play the same game with the consent of the Government?

Sir W. EVANS

I am not sure, but I rather think he has already returned to this country.

Mr. BOOTH

Will you keep him here?

Sir W. EVANS

That is not a question that should be addressed to me.