§ SIR F. CAWLEY (Lancashire, Prestwich)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a case tried before Judge Parry, in Manchester, in which a woman named Pointon recovered £37 10s. from a company called the Provincial Homes Investment Company; whether he is aware that the learned judge described this company's prospectus as containing in every page statements that are either direct untruths or alluring half-truths; whether he is aware that a similar judgment was given against this Company by Judge Greenwell, at Newcastle; whether he is aware that there are other companies obtaining the savings of the thrifty poor by the same misrepresentations; and whether he will have the affairs of these companies investigated by Royal Commission or otherwise with a view to their winding-up and also with a view to legislation which will protect the working classes in the future.
§ MR. CHURCHILLMy attention has been called to the case referred to by my hon. friend and to the remarks of Judge Parry. I have directed that a careful examination of the subject be made in order to see whether further legislation is necessary. I ought to add for the information of a number of persons who have addressed communications to the Board of Trade on this subject that the Board have no power, statutory or otherwise to require any sums paid to this or similar companies to be refunded.
§ MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)Has the Board of Trade any power compulsorily to wind-up this company?
§ [The Answer was inaudible].