§ 4 and 5. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether he is aware that the firm of Schroder, Smidt and Company was closed down under the Enemy Trading Act, and that J. Frericks, who was the manager of the firm, has started in business for himself; can he say what is Frericks' nationality; whether Schroder, Smidt and Company were connected with the Calcutta Hide Trade Association; if so, what action has been taken in order to prevent the trade again going into the same channel; (2) whether he is aware that the firm of Smidt, Sanders and Company was closed down under the Enemy Trading Act and that Max Staub, who was the manager of the firm, has started business in his own name; can he say what is Staub's nationality; whether Smidt, Sanders and Company were connected with the Calcutta Hide Trade Association; and, if so, what action has been taken in order to prevent the trade again going into the same channel?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe two firms have been wound up under the Enemy Trading Act. They were connected with the Calcutta Hide and Skin Shippers' Association. The two individuals mentioned are Swiss by nationality and were in the employ of the firms. They have since started business in the trade on their own account, and are carrying it on to the limited extent described in my answer to my hon. Friend's question of the 10th July. I am asking the Government of India whether they are satisfied that they are not acting in any way on behalf of the liquidated firms or still associated with them.