HL Deb 01 October 1942 vol 124 cc520-2WA
THE DUKE OF MONTROSE

asked His Majesty's Government—

  1. (a) How many apple tree owners there are who, at the instance of a company called Copo, Ltd., of Cockayne Hatley, Beds., have purchased an interest in apple trees and land vested in trustees, and managed by Copo, Ltd.
  2. (b) Whether he is aware that on 15th February, 1934, Copo, Ltd., stated in a circular there were 12,000 such tree owners; and in another circular, dated 6th July, 1942, they stated there were only 4,893 tree owners. What is the 521 reason of this difference and what has happened to the money subscribed by the tree owners who have dropped out.
  3. (c) Whether he can state what has been the total amount of money invested by tree owners; and what financial profits have they received.
  4. (d) Whether any audited balance sheet showing profit and loss, and certified by independent chartered accountants has been presented to all tree owners.
  5. (e) Whether the tree owners have any elected representation among the trustees for the land, or upon the board of directors of the Copo Co.
  6. (f) Whether the Bedfordshire Agricultural Executive Committee have ever inspected the Copo lands and orchards, and what was the nature of their report, if any.
  7. (g) What was the total amount of apples and other produce from "Copo" lands during the last completed year, and what was the stated gross value thereof.
  8. (h) Whether he will take steps to advise the Treasury to withhold approval of the flotation of the proposed new "Copo" Co. promoted by Copo, Ltd., until all information and statements of accounts desired by tree 522 owners have been supplied to them, and they have had time to have the same actuarially examined and approved.

THE DUKE OF NORFOLK

I have consulted my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade and regret that information is not available' which would enable an answer to be given to questions (a) to (e). I am informed that Copo, Limited, is a private company and as such is exempt from the requirement of Section 110 of the Companies Act, 1929, to include an audited balance sheet in the annual return to the Registrar of Companies.

In answer to (f), that part of the land which lies in Bedfordshire has been inspected by the Bedfordshire War Agricultural Executive Committee. Reports from county committees to the Minister are confidential, but I may say that this particular report was not concerned with the matters raised under (a) to (e), as they did not fall within the province of the Committee. I have no information in answer to (g). As regards (h) I understand that an application has been made to the Treasury, by the company in question, for permission for such an issue of capital, but this has since been suspended by the applicants.

House adjourned.