§ 2. Mr. Liddallasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to shortage of staff, he has been compelled to postpone three times the latest date for application for licences under the Prevention of Fraud Act until next March; and will he ask the Bar Council and the Law Society each to nominate now three of their members to 1202 assist him to abolish the need for another postponement?
§ Mr. LytteltonNo, Sir. I have received no serious complaints recently of the activities of share-pushers, and section 12 of the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act, which contains wide general provisions against fraud, is already in force. To enforce the licensing provisions would involve putting into force the other complicated provisions of the Act, and I do not think I could justify this in present circumstances. But if share-pushers again become active, which I regard as unlikely in war-time, I will put the full provisions of the Act into force as soon as possible.
§ Mr. LiddallIs not my right hon. Friend aware that stock and share dealers are very much interested in the fixing of the appointed day, and that there is a general feeling that there should be no further delay?