§ Mr. R. GWYNNEasked what steps have been taken by the War Office to verify the assurance received that the former business relationship of Minimax, Limited, with Germany has ceased?
Mr. BAKERNo further inquiry was made, because no further inquiry was considered necessary. If the hon. Member will inform me more precisely as to his meaning, I shall be happy to consider it.
§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) whether he has ascertained that the managing director and principal owner of Minimax, Limited, Mr. Graaf, only resigned his managership after the outbreak of War, and that his share holdings were transferred to nominees; if so, what bonâ fide consideration was paid for the transfer and by whom; and (2) if the War Office has ascertained why Mr. Graaf, the late manager of Minimax, Limited, if he was not a German but a Dutch subject, retired at all and transferred his interests in this company; and whether he is aware that he is described in Berlin as a German subject?
Mr. BAKERI will reply to this and the following question together. According to my information the facts are not 1441W as stated by the hon. Member. Mr. Graaf was joint managing director only and held no shares in Minimax, Limited. He is understood to be a German subject, and he was removed from his post. I may repeat that this company has no connection with the German company, and that its staff is entirely British, and that only a small portion of its shares is held by other than British subjects.