§ Mr. SWANasked the Prime Minister what amount of money has been paid or advanced by the Government in respect of shares in or loans to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company; what shares, debentures, or other interest the Government now has in that company; what dividends or other income has been received in respect thereof by the Government; what is the approximate present market value of the shares and debentures held by the Government therein; and is the objective of land purchase in Mesopotamia to bore for oil?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe sum of £4,250,000 has been paid to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company under the authorising Acts of Parliament in payment for 5,000,000 ordinary shares, 1,000 preference shares, and 199,000 debentures. The interest and dividends received to December, 1919, amount to £523,644. There is no market quotation for the ordinary shares, but their value is undoubtedly greater than when they were bought. I am not aware what land purchase in Mesopotamia the hon. Member refers to.