§ 4. Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any member of the Foreign Office is interested, either directly or indirectly, 1348 in any international insurance company or bank; whether he can say if any member of the Foreign Office or nominee of such member has any investments in any insurance company or bank which is either directly or indirectly financing His Majesty's enemies; and, if so, whether he will demand the retirement of such member from public affairs?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Balfour)As far as I am aware, the reply to all parts of the question is in the negative. But if the hon. Member will communicate to me any information he possesses in a contrary sense I will make the necessary inquiries.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has called for all the members of his staff who have made these investments, or whether he bases it purely and simply on what he may be told?
§ Mr. BALFOURCertainly it never occurred to me to ask all the members of my staff because the hon. Member chooses to put a question on the Paper.