§ 4. Mr. ROBERTSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, and at what date, a company has been formed with a capital of £6,000,000 to do business in metals; whether four of the directors are former members of the Committee on Non-Ferrous Metals; whether several of them are employed in the Ministry of Munitions; whether the Government has promised the company financial or other assistance; and, if so, what is the nature and extent of the support to be given?
§ Mr. WARDLEI understand that application has been made for the registration of the company to which my fight hon. Friend refers. As regards the proposed directors, three were members of the Departmental Committee on the position of the non-ferrous metal trades after the War. I believe that one is at present engaged in the Ministry of Munitions. No financial assistance has been promised or will be given to the company by the Government, and, as has already been stated in this House, there is no intention to accord to the company any preferential treatment as compared with other British controlled companies having similar objects.