HC Deb 31 July 1905 vol 150 cc903-4
MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state whether the attention of the Government has been called to the condition and financial †See (4) Debates, cxlvii., 1438. status of a number of Rhodesian and other South African mining companies, whose shares are daily quoted; whether any steps are taken by the Government to safeguard, the public from investing in such mining companies as are on the verge of bankruptcy and whose condition is withheld; and further, in view of the fact that the pub he have already suffered loss in consequence of reckless South African company promoting, will he have inquiry made with a view to remedying this evil by suitable legislation.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The Answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is in the negative; and, as regards the remainder of the Question, His Majesty's Government are not prepared to take upon themselves the hopeless enterprise of safeguarding the public in its choice of investments.