§ 2. Sir PARK GOFFasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of relaxing the War-time restrictions of 1917 whereby the 184 names of directors in all new companies, and partners in all firms, must be published on all communications issued from the company?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in describing these provisions as "Wartime restrictions." The Registration of Business Names Act was pressed for by the Chambers of Commerce and others for many years before the War. Within the last few years the opinion has been expressed by representative bodies that it is in the interests of the commercial community that the Act should be maintained, and the Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act is an essential corollary to the Registration of Business Names Act.
§ Sir ROBERT THOMASWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the suitability of these, directors to hold the positions which they occupy?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir. That is no part of my duty or of my powers under the Act. All I am entitled to do is to inquire who the directors are.