§ 68. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked whether, on any dates between 1st June, 1917, and 31st March, 1918, any priority permits were issued to Messrs. Holzapfels, Limited, at the instance or with the approval of the Admiralty, for the purpose of enabling Messrs. Holzapfels, Limited, to obtain non-ferrous raw materials for the purpose of their manufactures; and, if so, will he state the dates on which such permits were issued?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe have no record of any permit being issued during the period mentioned by my hon. Friend. But I should add that if priority were necessary 709 for raw material for the execution of orders, it would have been granted by the Department controlling the material.
§ 69. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty the reasons why, after the Admiralty had resumed business relationship with Messrs. Holzapfels, Limited, in 1916, the Admiralty again suspended business relationship with them in July, 1917; and what has happened in the meantime to induce the Admiralty to resume business relationships with that firm?
§ Dr. MACNAMARABusiness relations with the company were suspended in 1917 in order to act in unison with other Government Departments which had removed the firm from their list. As regards the second part of the question, it was decided to resume business with them for the reasons mentioned in my reply of the 4th July, that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade had assured us that enemy interests in this company had been practically eliminated.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by practical?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI think the President of the Board of Trade gave the details of the shareholders in an earlier answer.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre there any Germans amongst the shareholders now?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat I cannot say.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLIs the right hon. Member aware that the President said that the shares had been transferred from father to son?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes. Let me say further that in consequence of a supplementary question put to me last Thursday week I inquired into the matter, and the subject must remain where it is until I can get further information.