§ 43. Colonel BURNasked the President of the Board of Trade if the German firm of Ortweiler and Company, dressing-bag manufacturers, 27, Redcross Street, E.C., is to be allowed to continue its business; does he know that it is a branch of Ortweiler and Company, Offenbach-am-Maine, and that the representative of the 1205 firm in London offers to pay the return railway fare from Devon to London of anyone wishing to inspect their goods in view of purchase, as the curtailment of railway facilities prevents the firm from displaying them in different parts of the country?
Sir A. STANLEYThe sole proprietor of the business referred to is a naturalised British subject, who was denaturalised as a German subject in 1888, and naturalised as a British subject in 1897. It appears that several years after commencing business in London, he established a factory at Offenbach for the manufacture of the goods sold by him, the management of the factory being controlled from London. It has been reported that this factory was at the outbreak of the War placed under supervision by the German authorities, and has subsequently been wound-up. I have no information as to the alleged offer by the firm to pay the railway fare from Devon to London of prospective purchasers.
§ Colonel BURNDoes not my right hon. Friend feel that now is the time for suppressing what is ah absolutely German-owned firm in England?
Sir A. STANLEYI cannot agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that this is a German-owned business. This is a naturalised British subject carrying on a British business.