23. Dr. Morganasked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that the proposed terms of the Government expropriation of the business of jet-propulsion engines and the terms exacted from the directors of Power Jets, Limited, are regarded by many of the smaller shareholders as unfair; and if he will reconsider this matter.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir. The terms were negotiated with the directors, and the shareholders will have the opportunity of recording their votes, for or against, at the meeting of shareholders which is shortly to be held.
Dr. MorganIs this policy being applied to a specific company and a specific invention, or will it be applied to other inventions of national importance, owned by the bigger combines?
§ Sir S. CrippsThis is not a policy; it is a specific case, in which certain premises and machinery have been provided by His Majesty's Government, who now wish to resume them on fair terms.
Dr. MorganIs it not unfair, say, to a small shareholder who is a prisoner in Japanese hands, that this question of his shareholding—a small one—should be decided in his absence?
§ Sir S. CrippsThat is a matter of company law.