21. Mr. OWEN EVANSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the prosecution and conviction of outside stock and share brokers for fraud, by which investors have been defrauded of large sums of money; and whether he will take immediate steps, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent such frauds in future?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Members for Reigate (Mr. Touche) and North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison).
Mr. EVANSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the seriousness of this matter; of the many cases of the utmost distress among families? These people go about in their Rolls Royces seeking their prey and inducing them to invest in 209 worthless swindles. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman treat this as a matter of urgency?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf the hon. Member will send me any particulars, I shall be glad to look into them.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIs it not the case that there is a growing demand in financial and business circles in the City of London that this scandal should be dealt with by legislation?
Mr. GALLAGHERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider putting an end to a system which allows so many financial swindles to occur day after day?