§ 4. Mr. MURCHISONasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Danish Machine Company, of Copenhagen, has stated in. a circular, dated May, 1919, that British traders may make inquiries of the Department as to the company's position; is he aware that the Danish Machine Company represents Alfred Schmahl, of Hamburg, whose machines it is now offering for sale; and will he say whether it is the policy of the Government to assist German firms in this way to re-establish their trade through neutral agents?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND (Department of Oversea Trade)The circular to which the hon. Member refers has been brought to the notice of the Foreign Office. The statement in the circular is probably a reference to the fact that a report on the company is in the possession of the Department of Oversea Trade, based on information supplied by the company to the Commercial Secretary to the British Legation at Copenhagen. In no other sense has the company permission to refer to the Department of Oversea Trade.
1135 This report was obtained for the use of British exporters. My information is that the Danish Machine Company has no connection with the German firm of Alfred schmahl, of Hamburg, which is stated to have been dissolved owing to the death of Mr. Schmahl. The Danish Machine Company would appear to have no German connections at the present time. It is certainly not the policy of His Majesty's Government to assist German firms to re-establish their trade through neutral agents.