§ MR. JESSE COLLINGS (Birmingham, Bordesley)I beg to ask the Presi- 368 dent of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the proceedings of a company, styled the Provident Association of London, more especially to the issue of so-called "House Property Bonds," and the ballots which take place periodically in connection with them; and whether, having regard to the dissatisfaction which is felt by a number of subscribers, he has power to order an investigation into the affairs of the company in order to remove the doubts which exist as to the solidity of its position?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.The circumstances of the company have not recently been brought to the notice of the Board of Trade, but if members of the company holding not less than one-fifth part of the whole shares of the company for the time being issued apply to the Board of Trade to order an examination into the affairs of the company their application shall receive careful and prompt consideration.