§ 64. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the President of the Board of Trade why Mr. Levinstein has resigned from the management of the British Dyestuffs Corporation; whether dissatisfaction has been expressed regarding the composition of the directorate of the concern; and, seeing the large sum of the taxpayers' money that is invested in this concern, he will appoint a Select Committee of the House of Commons to investigate the conduct of the concern in order that a report thereon may be made to Parliament?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am not at present aware of the precise causes of the resignation to which the question relates, but that matter and any criticisms of the directorate are primarily questions for the consideration of the shareholders in the Corporation, in which the Government interest is only a subordinate one. I am not prepared to take the course suggested in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAre we to understand that the British taxpayers have no right to be represented as shareholders?
§ Mr. BALDWINCertainly, they have a right.
§ Mr. INSKIPWho represents the Government at the shareholders' meetings?
§ Mr. BALDWINThere are two Government directors of the company.
§ Captain W. BENNIs not the House of Commons the proper place for the taxpayers' representatives to discuss the disposition of the taxpayers' money in investments?
§ Mr. BALDWINThere are opportunities for discussing the activities of this Corporation on the appropriate Estimates.
§ Major MACKENZIE WOODHas the right hon. Gentleman consulted the Government representatives as to what has happened?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREHow can we be satisfied that the work of the Government directors on the Board of this very important company is satisfactory?
§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHYWhile expressing great sympathy with the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask whether he cannot answer some of our questions?