§ MR. YERBURGH (Chester)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he was aware of the usury and fraud largely practised by certain banks, so-called, and money-lenders, and whether, with a view to protecting the poorer classes of the community, the right hon. Gentleman would advise the appointment of a small Committee to inquire into the question, with power to examine witnesses and call for the production of documents? He desired further to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he would take action in the case of a bank, so-called, at Leicester which he (Mr. Yerburgh) had brought before the Board of Trade Department?
§ MR. MUNDELLAsaid, he had only received notice in the middle of the day of the hon. Member's intention to ask these two questions, and they were too important for him to give an answer off-hand. He did not think the Board of Trade had any power to interfere with persons with regard to charging usury. 812 With respect to the bank which the hon. Member mentioned, that matter had been referred to the Solicitor of the Board of Trade, whose Report he expected shortly.
§ MR. YERBURGHgave notice that on an early day he would call attention to the question of usury as practised in this country, and move a Resolution.