§ 20. Mr. Albuasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the factors on consideration of which the Government appointed 548 directors to British Petroleum Company, Limited, Glanmorfa, Limited, North British Locomotive Company, Limited, S. G. Brown, Limited, National Cold Stores (Management), Limited, Re-commissioned Mills, Limited, British Sugar Corporation, Limited, Nedal (1954), Limited, British Field Products, Limited, Short Brothers and Harland, Limited, S.B. (Realisations), Limited, Scottish Diatomite, Limited, and Power Jets (Research and Development), Limited, respectively.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Sir Edward Boyle)Various considerations have influenced the Government of the day in deciding to appoint directors to these companies— including the needs of defence, the interests of consumers at large, or the fact that the Government either owned the companies or made significant contributions to their financing.
§ Mr. AlbuCan the hon. Member say whether these principles apply when the Government give consideration to whether or not to appoint directors to companies in which they have substantial financial interests?
§ Sir E. BoyleIf the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, perhaps he would write to me about it.