§ 81. General CROFTasked whether any firms applied for and received preferential cable facilities with Spain; and what firms, if any, applied for and were refused the advantages granted to Messrs. Harris and Dixon?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONA limited number of firms were in 1916 allowed special facilities for their cablegrams to Spain. I think it right to state that other rival firms with large commercial interests in Spain got these facilities before the firm of Messrs. Harris and Dixon. I can find no trace in the office of the Chief Cable Censor of any firm having been refused these facilities upon application, except the firm of Hall Brothers, Cairns, Noble and Company. This refusal was only given after reference by us to the Director of the Trade Division at the Admiralty, whose representative had been present at a meeting of the Board of Trade a few 508 days before, at which it was also decided to withdraw all facilities from the other firms to which I have referred.
§ Mr. WATTCan the hon. Gentleman say—has he made inquiry—as to whether the profits of these firms went up immediately the decision was given?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that. It does not arise on this question.