3. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the business and factory of Carl Zeiss, Limited, optic manufacturers, was in 1917 sold by orders of his Board to another firm of optic manufacturers, Messrs. Ross, Limited; whether, since the outbreak of war, the management of Zeiss, Limited, was taken over by a Mr. Thomas Charles, of Barnet, who alone was able to carry out the method of graticuling field glasses; if so, will he say what sum was given by Messrs. Ross for acquiring Zeiss, Limited; do they employ Mr. Charles; and, if not, what compensation has been paid him by Messrs. Ross?
Sir A. STANLEYThe factory, machinery, and stock of Carl Zeiss, London, Limited, were sold in the winding up of the business under the Trading With the Enemy Acts to Messrs. Ross, Limited, the highest bidders, for £10,500. After the outbreak of war the business was carried on by Mr. Charles until it was sold; he is not employed by Messrs. Ross, and, so far as I am aware, has not been paid compensation by them.
Major NEWMANDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think Mr. Charles has been rather hardly treated? He lost his own business and went into this, and now he has got nothing.