§ Mr. NIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the German-owned business of the Armounduct Manufacturing Company has yet been wound up; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay and what remains to be done to effect the winding up; whether any attempt has been made to sell the assets of the firm, and with what result; if sold, has the Board of Trade obtained from the purchaser a similar guarantee as was required from the purchaser of the business or shares in the business of Messrs. Bechstein; or, if unsold, will such guarantee be insisted upon; has any negotiation for sale taken place with Wilhelm Schmahl, now passing as William Small, the former manager of the business and a recently naturalised German, and with what result; 1640W and whether it is proposed to sell the enemy interest in the firm to any best British-born subjects by any other means than public auction?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe business of the Armounduct Manufacturing Company Limited, has not been wound up, because the Advisory Committee recommended that, having regard to the character of the work which is being carried on by the company, that course was inexpedient. Efforts are being made to negotiate a sale by private treaty to some British purchaser who will continue the work satisfactorily, and, pending the result of the steps which are now being taken to find a purchaser of the business, I am not prepared to say what conditions of sale will be imposed. An offer has been made by Mr. Small, but it has not been accepted.