§ 27. Mr. Johnstonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the activities of a firm of share operators called F. Reid Price and Company, offering for sale shares where profits are unlimited; whether he is aware that on previous occasions this firm has failed to settle with customers and has pleaded the Gaming Act as a defence; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. RuncimanMy attention has been drawn to the activities of the company referred to by the right hon. Member. The whole question as to the steps to be taken in respect of operations such as these is being considered by the Departmental Committee on Share-pushing which I appointed last December.
§ Mr. JohnstonIn this particular case, seeing that the Gaming Act has already been pleaded as a defence, can the right hon. Gentleman not get into touch with the Director of Public Prosecutions in this matter?
§ Mr. RuncimanI would prefer that the matter should be dealt with by the committee in the first place, and if action were then considered necessary, I should be prepared to take it.