HC Deb 27 June 1921 vol 143 c1803
1. Mr. BRIANT

asked 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. YOUNG

The 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 KENWORTHY

Are these gentlemen drawing directors' fees, in view of the fact that the company's shares are down to bed-rock?

Mr. YOUNG

They 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 KENWORTHY

Are we to understand the Government is paying a salary of £500 a year to each of these gentlemen?

Mr. KILEY

Can 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?