§ 27. Mr. DORANasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons and firms registered under the Moneylenders Act on the 1st March, 1933, or on such other date on which the returns can be made up, giving the nationality of the persons so registered?
§ Mr. H0RE-BELISHAThe system of registering moneylenders was abolished by the Moneylenders Act, 1927. Instead, moneylenders are, subject to certain exceptions, required to obtain Excise licences annually, and these licences are only granted to persons authorised by the Petty Sessional Justices or other competent authority to hold them. The number of licences issued in the year ended 31st March, 1932 (the latest date up to which the figures are at present available) was 3,519. No information as to the nationality of holders of licences is available.