§ Mr. RAPER(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the circumstances in which the engagement with the Inter-Allied Trade and Banking Corporation of Mr. Wintour, the general manager of the British Empire Exhibition, was terminated? In putting this question I desire to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me this opportunity of apologising for any misapprehension which may have arisen from the supplementary question which I put in this House on Monday last.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)Yes, Sir. On the day after my hon. Friend put his supplementary question to me, I received the following letter from Sir Henry Birchenough:—
§ Rhodesia House,
§ 2, London Wall Buildings,
§ London, E.C.2.,
§ 14th March, 1922.
§ My DEAR LLOYD-GBEAME,—I have seen in "The Times" a report of the questions addressed to you in the House of Commons with regard to the British Empire Exhibition.
§ I am myself a member of the Executive Council, and was the Chairman of the Inter-Allied Trade and Banking Corporation when Mr. Wintour was Managing Director of that company. Mr. Wintour's connection with the Inter-Allied Trade and Banking Corporation terminated owing to a change of policy consequent upon the acquisition by a new group of the controlling interest in that firm, and the circumstances connected therewith in no way reflected upon Mr. Wintour's ability—or integrity—of which I, in common with all those who have worked with him, have the highest opinion.
§ Yours always sincerely,
§ (Signed) HENRY BIRCHENOUGH.
§ Major Sir Philip
§ Lloyd-Greame, K.B.E., M.P.
§ I am very glad that my hon. Friend has put this question. The point was raised on a supplementary question which did not relate to the subject-matter of the question on the Paper, and I was not then in the possession of the facts. I am very glad to have this opportunity of now stating the full facts as given me by the Chairman of the Corporation.