§ 48. Mr. DAWESasked the Prime Minister whether he will say how many shares of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company were expropriated by the Government in 1917; what is the capital appreciation of the shares on their value on 10th February, 1920; what amount has been paid in dividends since the shares were taken over; whether the Government is officially represented on the board of direction of the company: if so, whether the representative reported the proposed increase in the price of petrol to the Government; and whether he received instructions to approve of such increase or otherwise?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)In connection with the support of the Foreign Exchanges, shares to the nominal value of 5,323,100 florins in the company were requisitioned in November, 1917, at the current market price of £51 per sub-share of 100 florins. All these shares have long ago been sold for the purpose for which they were bought, and no dividends are received on them. I understand the shares now stand at £89. The answer to the fourth part of the question is in the negative and the remainder does not arise.