18. Mr. HUGH EDWARDSasked whether, by virtue of the financial assistance by way of advances made to the British-America Nickel Corporation, His Majesty's Government has stipulated any conditions as to control in the conduct of the business of the Corporation; what is the nature and scope of such control; whether it includes the right to His Majesty's Government to appoint representatives on the directorate of the Corporation: if so, whether such representatives have been appointed; what are the names of such representatives; and what were their previous experience and qualifications for the appointment?
§ Sir A. GEDDESHis Majesty's Government are in a position, should occasion arise, to exercise complete control over the business of the British-America Nickel Corporation, but otherwise no conditions are imposed on the actual conduct of that business. His Majesty's Government are entitled to appoint, and have appointed, representatives to the directorate. The Government's representatives are Mr. W. A. Carlyle, an engineer of high standing, who has rendered valuable service to His Majesty's Government during the War, and Mr. G. T. Milne, who is His Majesty's Senior Trade Commissioner in Canada.
20. Mr. H. EDWARDSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the sum of $3,000,000, stated to be advanced by His Majesty's Government to the British-America Nickel Corporation, represents the total amount advanced by His Majesty's Government to the corporation; whether the amount so advanced is secured by the issue of 6 per cent. first mortgage fifteen-year gold bonds under a deed of mortgage and trust made between, the British-Amerca Nickel Corporation and the National Trust Company, Limited, as trustee; whether the mortgage deed provides for the payment of $250,000 for the redemption of the bonds during the year ended the 1st February, 1919, and for the payment of $500,000annually for their redemption during subsequent years whether the British-America Nickel Corporation has failed to repay the first-named sum of $250,000, and has obtained the consent of the holders to postpone such repayments; whether His Majesty's Government, as principal holders of these bonds, has agreed to a suspension of the provision for redemption; and, if so, what compensation, if any, has His Majesty's Government received for such accommodation?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe statements contained in the first five parts of my hon. Friend's question are correct. As regards the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government have so far neither received nor asked for any compensation from the British-America Nickel Corporation for the accommodation referred to.