HC Deb 19 May 1938 vol 336 c582
70. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to ensure that all companies having on their boards Government directors who have been nominated or appointed officially shall publish a statement of their accounts, in view of the fact that in certain instances publication of accounts has been withheld by certain of these companies?

Sir J. Simon

The obligations of all companies registered under the Companies Acts in the matter of the publication of their balance sheets are laid down in the Companies Act, 1929, and I see no reason why special conditions should be prescribed in this matter in the case of companies having Government directors. The Government have, of course, full access, through their directors or otherwise, to the accounts of the companies on whose boards they serve.

Mr. De la Bère

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the faithful Commons have not access to these accounts, and that there are cases in which returns have not been made?

Sir J. Simon

Perhaps the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any instance which he has in mind.