§ 71. Sir CYRIL COBBasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing among the small holders of De Beers preference shares at the attempt by the board to sacrifice their rights for the benefit of equity shareholders; and, in view of the difficulty such widely-spread small shareholders have of joining together to make their voice heard at the coming meeting, will he, if duly invited, use his powers under the Companies Act to protect the public and arrange that full voting weight be given to the collected opposition to the directors' proposals in their present form?
Mr. J. H. THOMASThe company in question is registered in the Union of 1311 South Africa, and any question concerning it is therefore a matter for the Union authorities.
§ Sir C. COBBHas my right hon. Friend communicated or will he communicate with the Government of South Africa in order to ensure that they may take the necessary steps within their power to protect public interests in this matter?