HC Deb 07 November 1916 vol 87 cc82-3W
Sir R. COOPER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether directors of the Marconi Company have seats on the board of the Deutsche Betreitsgesellschaft fur Drahtlose Telegraphie, of Berlin; and whether this Berlin company is a subsidiary of the Telefunken Company?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am informed by the Marconi Company that certain of their directors were, before the War, on the board of the Berlin company referred to, in which the Telefunken Company holds a majority of the shares.

Sir R. COOPER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an agreement was concluded in 1913 between the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company, Limited, and the Gesellschaft füur Drahtlose Telegraphie, of Berlin, or the Telefunken Company; whether such agreement covers Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States, and, if so, has this agreement been operative since the beginning of the War?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am informed by the Marconi Company that, in 1913, an agreement of a commercial nature was concluded between them and the Tele-funken Company, that the agreement dealt in some matters with Australia, New Zealand, and Spain, but did not embrace the United States, and that this agreement has not been operative since the beginning of the War.

Mr. R. GWYNNE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Marconi Company has omitted to publish since 1913 in its yearly accounts a list of its subsidiary companies; and, if so, can he state what subsidiary companies are associated with the Marconi Company?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am informed by the Marconi Company that they have not considered it in their interests to publish in their yearly accounts a list of their holdings in other companies since 1913, but that the information is at all times available to their shareholders.