10. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will inquire how far the restrictive patents and arrangements entered into with boot manufacturers by the British United Shoe Machinery Company has contributed to the price of footgear since the War; is he aware that on an issued capital of £800,000 the company paid last year a tax-free dividend of 20 per cent. on its ordinary shares, leaving £422,365 undistributed, and a further £400,000 to reserve; and can he say what this company has paid in Excess Profits Duty for the years 1917 and 1918?
Sir A. STANLEYI do not think that such an inquiry as the hon. and gallant Member suggests would be a practicable one, in view of the variety of circumstances which have brought about the rise in the prices of footgear during the War. I understand the statements in the second part of the question to be correct, but as regards the third part I am informed that the Board of Inland Revenue are unable to give information as to individual taxpayers.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLIs it that they are unable to give information or unwilling?