§ 35. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the position of the Government of Great Britain in relation to the failure of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company to meet in cash its liability for the purchase of the Commonwealth Shipping Line?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)Neither His Majesty's Government in Great Britain nor the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company have any liability in connection with the purchase of the Commonwealth Shipping Line from the Australian Government which was carried out by the White Star Line in accordance with the terms of an agreement dated the 21st April, 1928. I am informed that up to the present date all the instalments of the purchase price together with the interest in terms of this agreement have been duly met.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEDoes the Financial Secretary disclaim the responsibility of the Government for all these transactions in connection with this matter, and does he say that the Government had nothing to do with it?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThe Government had no liability in this matter. The transactions were between the White Star and the Commonwealth Lines?
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEDoes the Financial Secretary say that the Government have no responsibility in any respect for any of these transactions?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIn the first place the present Government were not in office at the time. But in any case the Government have no responsibility for transactions between a private company and a Dominion Government.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLECan the hon. Gentleman state whether any other Government at any other time had any responsibility?