67. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make inquiries about S. Oppenheimer and Company, 47, St. John Street. Smith-field, a firm of alien enemy origin who largely control the ring of firms that were employed in the exporting to Germany from this country of goldbeaters' skins; can he ascertain if about the year 1901 Mr. Louis Oppenheimer, who has left this country, was discovered by the Inland Revenue authorities to have defrauded the Inland Revenue of a large sum by falsification of Income Tax returns over a series of years; is it intended to wind up this firm; and will Mr. Louis Oppenheimer be allowed to return to this country at the conclusion of hostilities?
Sir A. STANLEYInquiry into the business of S. Oppenheimer and Company, Limited, showed that nearly all the shares were held by persons of enemy origin who are citizens of the United States. Mr. Louis Oppenheimer, the previous manager of the business in London, became a naturalised citizen of the United States more than thirty years ago. There is no ground on which the business can be wound up by the Board of Trade, and they have no information as to Mr. Oppenheimer's Income Tax returns.
Major NEWMANWould the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries of the Inland Revenue authorities to find out the enormous sums this man did default for?
Sir A. STANLEYI do not know that any good purpose would be served by my making that sort of inquiry.