§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated total value of the businesses to be wound up under the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916, and former Acts; how much has as yet been realised; and what fees have been paid or are still owing to the controllers, supervisors, inspectors, custodians, and other officials engaged in the winding-up?
§ Mr. PRETYMANAs regards the amount of the realisations under the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for North-East Bethnal Green on 1585W the 18th October. I regret that I am unable to supply figures with regard to the other points raised.
Sir H. DALZIELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the former London manager of A. W. Faber and Company, an enemy firm which is being wound up, is now carrying on a similar business on his own account; whether he is, with the consent of the Board of Trade, importing goods from the firm of A. W. Faber and Company, New Jersey, United States of America, which is or was connected with the London firm of A. W. Faber and Company and is entirely German; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe answer to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's question is in the affirmative. The Board of Trade did not raise any objections to this importation nor had they any power to do so, as this firm is not at present on the Statutory List.
Sir H. DALZIELasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the basis of remuneration on 'which the controllers and liquidators of enemy firms and companies are employed; are they all employed on the same conditions; and will he lay a copy of the agreements upon the Table of the House?
§ Mr. PRETYMANSupervisors and controllers of enemy businesses are remunerated on the basis of the time actually occupied in the work at the rate of £5. 5s. 0d. a day for principals, £1 11s. 6d. a day for chief clerks, and 16s. a day for other clerks. An increased rate has been allowed in a few exceptional cases, and in some other cases a special fee may be paid. No formal agreements have been entered into, but the controllers are informed by letter of the scale of remuneration.