57. Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why His Majesty's Government made no approach to the Government of South Africa to endeavour to arrange that the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges should close simultaneously on 19th September, when devaluation took place, in order to avoid the wild and unofficial fluctuations in gold share prices which did, in fact, occur.
§ Mr. JayThe Government of South Africa were informed in advance that the London Stock Exchange would be closed on 19th September. Any question of closing the Johannesburg Stock Exchange was for the South African Government.