§ 1. Mr. BRIANTasked the President of the Board of Trade who are the two directors of the British Cellulose Company appointed by the Government at a salary of £500 a year?
Mr. YOUNGThe two directors appointed by the Government are Brigadier-General Sir William Alexander, K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., and Sir Philip Henriques, K.B.E.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre these gentlemen drawing directors' fees, in view of the fact that the company's shares are down to bed-rock?
Mr. YOUNGThey are not drawing directors' fees. Each is drawing an official salary of £500 a year from the Government, and the directors' fees are put into the Exchequer.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre we to understand the Government is paying a salary of £500 a year to each of these gentlemen?
§ Mr. KILEYCan the hon. Gentleman say whether Sir William Alexander is the same gentleman who was head of the Contracts Department of the Ministry of Munitions, and placed orders for millions of pounds with this company; and was Sir Philip Henriques the head of the Finance Department who paid, or loaned, this firm some millions of pounds; if so, would it not have been advisable to have appointed directors free from any former connection with this concern?