§ 11. Mr. Liddallasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the names of the directors of the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation; whether any of the shares are held privately; and what are the present functions of the Corporation having regard to the fact that the territories in which it was intended to function are now largely in German occupation?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe Directors of the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation are Lord Swinton, Mr. A. Chester Beatty. Mr. C. P. Lister, Mr. G. A. McEwan, Sir Frank Nixon, Mr. J. R Hambro, Mr. L. C. Paton. There are no privately held shares. When the functions of the Corporation were announced in Parliament on 4th April, 1940, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon), it was stated that the company would be primarily concerned with trade with certain countries which are now largely in German occupation. It was, however, specifically stated that the Corporation might conduct business elsewhere if appropriate occasions arose. In the opinion of the Government those occasions have arisen and the activities of the Corporation have been extended with excellent results.
§ Mr. Garro JonesDo the Corporation issue any reports on their activities, and, if not, would it not be advisable for them to do so?
§ Sir A. DuncanI will consider that matter.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable perturbation in certain circles about the competitive activities of this Corporation?
§ Sir A. DuncanNo, Sir. I am not aware that there is any perturbation any longer; there was, but I think the matter has been satisfactorily adjusted.