HC Deb 29 March 1926 vol 193 c1657
79. Sir F. WISE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total costs, including underwriting, advertising, brokerage, etc., of the two issues under the Trade Facilities Act of the Blue Star Line (1920), Limited, and Messrs. Pearson and Dorman Long?

Mr. McNEILL

My hon. Friend will find the underwriting and brokerage charges stated on the published prospectuses. The advertising and similar expenses are matters for the companies concerned, on which I have no information.

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the underwriters were landed with a very large percentage of both these issues, and that the failure of the issues is likely to add to underwriting expenses in future?

Mr. McNEILL

That may be true, but it has nothing to do with the answer which I have given.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Would it not be better in future to have a consolidated loan on which you could draw for all these trade facilities schemes, and would it not be much cheaper to raise?

Mr. McNEILL

That is a large question of policy which should not be addressed to me.