§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that 90 per cent. of the operations carried on in the wheat, produce, cotton, and metal exchanges through option and future contracts are mere gambling in fictitious commodities and are solely liquidated by the paying or receiving of differences; that these exchanges have of late years become the principal international centres for American, Continental, and other foreign operators who have no interest in the trade, agriculture, or finance of the three Kingdoms; whether he is aware of the effect of all such gambling transactions on industries and labour; if so, will he consider the advisability in the interests of public utility and safety and for revenue purposes, of placing a super-tax or an ad valorem tax on all such option and future gambling contracts entered into on these exchanges by any person whatsoever, such as he has proposed on similar contract notes on the Stock Exchange and in bucket shops?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEI will consider the suggestion put before me by the hon. Member.