§ Mr. W. BAKERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Bristol Water Company 1215W and the Bristol Gas Company are not required to file lists of directors and other information at Somerset House, because these companies were incorporated by special Acts of Parliament which contained no clauses requiring them to furnish lists of directors which should be open to public inspection; how many public utility companies are in a similar position; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing a short Bill to remove these exceptions?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the figure asked for could not be given without a search which would involve considerable labour and expense. As to the third, having regard to the fact that Parliament has not hitherto, either in general legislation (the Companies Clauses Acts) or in companies' special Acts, seen fit to require the filing of lists of directors, etc., I do not think there are sufficient grounds for my introducing legislation to prescribe such a requirement.