§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether he will state it the police authorities in England have full information affecting several companies, such as the Provincial Homes Investment Company, as to their fraudulent constitution and business methods; will he state if they have similar information as to concerns known as doubtful traders; will he say where this information can be obtained by the public; and, in view of Judge Parry's recent remarks in Manchester at his Quarter Sessions, will he direct steps to be taken to warn the public in some way, that they may safeguard themselves against attempts to obtain money under 1500 false pretences by companies or individuals known to the authorities to be fraudulent.
§ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir W. ROBSON, South Shields)said he could not answer as to the particular case mentioned, and upon the general question could not undertake to say what information might be in the possession of the police. He could assure the hon. Member that, if the police obtained the necessary evidence which in his opinion would justify such action, proceedings would be taken by the Public Prosecutor. He could scarcely undertake to issue such a warning as was indicated in the question.
§ MR. CLYNES (Manchester, N.E.)asked if it was intended to take any action in respect to advertisements in newspapers having the effect of misleading the public.
§ SIR W. ROBSONsaid he was disposed to hope that some action would be taken by the proprietors of newspapers, with whom he had been in communication, to check the insertion of such advertisements.
§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDYIf the hon. and learned Gentleman will look at the Police Gazette he will see how many companies there are of that description.