Sir H. DALZIELasked the President, of the Board of Trade whether the firm of Castner Kellners asked to be allowed to tender, as well as Messrs. Levenstein and British Dyes, Limited, for the Ellesmere Port Works; whether they subsequently withdrew their application, and can he give the reason; whether they are—now making the intermediate phenyl-glycine for Messrs. Levenstein to make the indigo from; and whether they have any present interest in the Ellesmere Port Works beyond contracting for the supply of the phenyl-glycine required for the manufacture?
Mr. RUNCIMANIn reply to an invitation to submit evidence of their ability to manufacture synthetic indigo if they desired to tender for the Port Ellesmere-Works, the Castner Kellner Alkali Company, Limited, informed the Board of Trade that after full consideration they had decided not to tender. I have no-knowledge as to their reasons for this decision, nor as to any arrangements between that company and Messrs. Levinstein for the supply of phenyl-glycin. So far as I am aware, the Castner Kellner Alkali Company, Limited, have no interest in the Port Ellesmere Works.
Sir H. DALZIELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the names of the scientific expert—referees who advised the Board of Trade that only Messrs. Levinsteins were in a position to make indigo at the Ellesmere Port Works?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe scientific experts who advised the Board of Trade on the evidence of ability to manufacture synthetic indigo at the Port Ellesmere Works-submitted by British Dyes, Limited, and Messrs. Levinsteins were Sir William A. Tilden, F.R.S., and Professor W. J. Pope, F.R.S.