Mr. Wanklyn, the Unionist Member for Central Bradford, in reply
to one of his constituents, has published, by authority of Mr. Chamberlain, a statement in regard to the Colonial Secretary's interest in the "Birmingham Trust.' Mr. Chamberlain says that he holds a very small portion of the capital of this Company ; that he does not know, and never has known, anything whatever about its investments; that he did not know the "Birmingham Trust" had any invest,- ment in "Tubes. Limited," or that "Tubes, Limited," were interested to any extent in Government business. He adds:— U1 have never concerned myself with any Government con- tract since I have been in public life; and, although it would appear that to the infinitesimal extent named I am interested in the transactions of Tubes,' I was not myself aware of the fact at the time when I said that I had no direct or indirect interest in any firm supplying the Government with military stores." Mr. Wanklyn, commenting on the above, observes that Mr. Chamberlain can claim to be a poorer man now than when he entered Parliament twenty-six years ago. We think Mr. Chamberlain's reply to the charges brought against him perfectly adequate, so far as it goes, and we are glad to note that he is credited with the intention of making a further and fuller statement before the House of Commons.
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