§ 73. Mr. L. SMITHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the first half of the present year capital issues by financial, land, investment, and trust companies, miscellaneous, commercial, and industrial companies, amounted to only £25,500,000 as against £107,250,000 in the first six months of 1929; and whether, in view of the effect of this reaction upon finance, trade, and employment, he will consider the desirability of instituting an inquiry into the causes?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEData of the kind referred to by the hon. Member are being kept under close observation. My right hon. Friend does not propose to institute a special inquiry, which would overlap with other investigations, particularly that which is being under- 626 taken by the Committee on Finance and Industry of which Lord Macmillan is chairman.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELMay not the cause be found in the lack of confidence engendered by the existence of a Socialist Government?