§ MR. FIELDTo ask Mr. Chanceellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in the transactions on the London Stock Exchange the terms of Leeman's Act re bank shares transfers are openly violated; and whether he will take measures to ensure that the members of the London Stock Exchange shall be required to observe the safeguard imposed by law to prevent gambling in bank shares.
§ (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) I have no information on the subject; but the effect of the Act is merely to invalidate certain contracts if entered into. If people choose to enter into such contracts there is nothing to prevent their doing so, but they do so at their own risk, since the contracts cannot be enforced. The Act imposes no penalty for entering into such contracts, unless there be false entries of numbers and names therein.