§ Mr. WARDLEalso asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had an offer from the manager of the Provincial Homes Investment Company, Limited, for the Board of Trade to inspect the books and documents of the said company; and, if so, whether he intends to avail himself of the offer?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLLast December one of the directors of the Provincial Homes Investment Company inquired whether the Board of Trade would be willing to hold an investigation into the business and financial position of the company, with the object of advising what alterations should be made in the methods of the business. After very careful consideration I came to the conclusion that the giving of any such advice would be entirely outside the province of the Board of Trade, and accordingly declined to make the investigation suggested.
§ Mr. WARDLEDo we understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that there was an offer to see the books?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLCertainly, and I was at first inclined to accept it; but after conversation with many of the authorities and officials, and considering the consequences that would be drawn from such an inquiry by the Board of Trade, and remembering, too, that it would be largely covering cases which had been dealt with, I came to the conclusion that it would be in the general interest not to make the inquiry.