British Aluminium Company, Limited

HC Deb 01 February 1944 vol 396 cc1129-30

58. Mr. Astor

asked the President of the Board of Trade why representations were made by the Government to the British Aluminium Company, Limited, to remove from the boards of companies connected with it an Ally whose name has been given him and who has been serving for two years in the R.A.F. receiving the D.F.C. and bar.

Mr. Dalton

No such representations have been made by the Board of Trade nor, so far as I am aware, by any other Government Department.

Mr. Astor

In view of that answer, will the right hon. Gentleman convey to the company, the feeling that their action towards this wing-commander is most un-chivalrous and unworthy of British hospita- lity and ask them to consider sympathetically his reinstatement on the board?

Wing-Commander Grant-Ferris

Is it not disgraceful that a man who has served the Allied cause so well should have this discrimination preferred against him?

Mr. Dalton

My Department has no responsibility in the matter.

Mr. Astor

But will the right hon. Gentleman convey the opinion which has been expressed in this House to the company?

Mr. Dalton

Perhaps they will read it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.