MR. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government intend to hold an inquiry respecting the promotion of companies; whether the Public Prosecutor has any duty in this matter; and whether he can state how many prosecutions have been instituted since January, 1897?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEThe answer to the first paragraph of the honourable Member's question is in the negative. The promotion of companies not being an offence, there have been no prosecutions since 1897. If the honourable Gentleman means frauds connected with the promotion of companies I will endeavour to obtain further information.