§ Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNERasked the Attorney-General whether, having regard to the sums due from German debtors to British creditors, the Government will take steps to ascertain what property and assets of every kind and description there is in this country belonging to alien enemies, and that such property and assets be included in the register mentioned in Section 5, Sub-section (4), of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, and be open at all times for public inspection, primarily for the benefit of British creditors of enemy countries and subjects?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1914, cover a large part of the ground indicated, and there are considerable practical difficulties in further extension, but this matter is under careful consideration.
§ Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNERasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the Public Trustee has been unable to give British creditors of enemy debtors rights of protection over the property and assets of every description belonging to their enemy debtors in this country; and, if so, whether he will introduce legislation to make it clear that Section 4 of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1914, shall not be limited to any special class of property and assets?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am not sure that I understand the point the hon. Member wishes to raise. Section 4 of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1914, is not limited to any special class of property or assets, and this question appears therefore to be based on some misapprehension.