HC Deb 12 June 1939 vol 348 cc891-2
50. Mr. Montague

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will supply a complete list of the members of the Telephone Development Association and state what their individual profits were for each year since 1933 including the latest published figures?

Major Tryon

The Telephone Development Association is a company limited by guarantee whose object, as stated in its memorandum of association is to promote and encourage the use of the telephone in Great Britain and other parts of the Empire. The association co-operates with the Post Office in telephone publicity and educative measures. The membership is composed, I understand, of some 150 firms covering all sections of the telephone manufacturing industry. I have no knowledge of the individual profits of the firms in question other than that made available to the public by the registrar of joint stock companies.

Mr. Montague

Are we to take it that the Government were responsible for the initiation of this association?

Major Tryon

The Government certainly arrange contracts, but this body about which the hon. Gentleman is asking is not a body which makes contracts.