§ MR. FIELDTo ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the depreciation in South African mining and other shares, amounting in 1905–6 to over £100,000,000, has been due to an organised bear raid on the London, Paris, and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges, and that according to the South African preferences the mining magnates are endeavouring to explain this state of affairs by laying the blame for the collapse on the conduct of the Imperial Government; and, in consideration of the effect of such losses on the economic position of South Africa and the values of funds and other securities, and of the fact that a syndicate has been formed in order to protect the diamond mine shares against similar bear raids, His Majesty's Government intend to take any measures to stop a continuance of these systems of bull and bear financial gambling operations in fictitious shares, with the object of protecting the interests of bona fide shareholders.
(Answered by Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman.) I have no information on this Question, but, assuming the facts to be as stated, I am doubtful if any effectual measure could be adopted by
† See (4) Debates, clv., 339.630 the Government in the interest of the shareholders.