§ 65. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Company of Thornhill, Limited, was registered on 22nd June, 1915, the permanent governing director being one Sigmund Dornberger, a German-born subject, who, on the 18th October, 1915, changed his name to Thornhill; whether the Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act, 1917, only applies to companies registered after the 22nd November, 1916, so that Mr. Dornberger is able to trade without notice to the public as Thornhill, Limited; and whether he will introduce an amending Bill applying the Act to all alien enemy directors whatever the date of the registration of the company?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe statement contained in the first part of this question is correct. Under Section 1 of the Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act, 1917, all companies have to include in the annual return to the Registrar of Companies, which can be inspected by the 750 public, particulars as to the present names and former names and nationality of origin of the directors, and in the return which was filed with the Registrar of Companies on the 22nd July, 1918, the particulars as to the name and nationality of the governing director are included. The provisions of Section 2 (2) of the Act, which requires a company to publish particulars as to the directors on trade catalogues and business letters, only applies to companies registered after 22nd November, 1916. The suggestion of my hon. Friend shall receive consideration in the event of legislation being introduced to amend the Act.