§ 32. Major M. WOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the reported alliance between La Compagnie Nationale de Matières Colorantes et de Produits Chemiques, the trading makers of dyes in France, and the Interessin Gemeinschaft, the German dye trust, under which the Germans have agreed to assist the French company and disclose their trade secrets in consideration of the French undertaking to confine their sales to France and its colonies and to hand over 50 per cent. of their profits to the German trust; whether this arrangement has been communicated to the Reparations Commission; and what effect, if any, it will have on the delivery of dyes under the reparation clauses of the Treaty of Versailles?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir W. Mitchell-Thomson)I have seen statements to the effect that some agreement has been made between the French company mentioned by the hon. and 551 gallant Member and the Interessin Gemeinschaft, but I have no official information as to its precise nature, and I am not aware that it has been communicated to the Reparation Commission. It does not appear that any such private agreement can have any effect on the delivery of dyestuffs under the reparation clauses of the Treaty of Versailles.
§ Major M. WOODIs not the export of dyes formulae equivalent to the export of dyes, and does not that have a bearing upon the Reparation Clauses of the Versailles Treaty?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONNo, Sir, I do not think so.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONNo, Sir, I am not aware of it.
§ Mr. KILEYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the British Cellulose Company, in which the Government have a substantial interest, propose to engage a German staff?