§ Mr. R. GWYNNEasked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that a rise in copper took place during the time Mr. Frank Baer, a German-born subject, a member of the firm of Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, was, with the permission of the British Government, in New York; whether he is aware that Mr. Baer made his business headquarters in New York with the American Metal Company, a concern closely associated with and in which the Metallgesellschaft, of Frankfurt, is interested; and can he state whether, previous to Mr. Baer being allowed to proceed to New York, any instructions were given him by any Depart- 518W ment prohibiting him from communicating with the American Metal Company or any-other concern any information as regards the position of copper and other metals that would be detrimental to this country and the Allies?
Mr. PRIMROSEThe Ministry of Munitions were not aware of Mr. Baer's intended visit to New York; they issued no instructions to him of any kind and they have no direct information as to his proceedings. The copper market has been rising for some time past, but in view of the many circumstances influencing the price of such a commodity it is impossible to draw any conclusion of the kind suggested by the hon. Gentleman.