§ Mr. FIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the price of Turkish Government stock in 1902 was 106½ and the price in 1911 is 106, 365W and that during the same period the Government stocks in Russia have upheld their market value; whether he is aware that both Turkey and Russia have laws prohibiting gambling operations in trade and finance; and whether, in view of the continued depreciation in the value of Consols, the Government will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to prevent gambling operations in futures and options?
Mr. BUXTONI have not been able to verify the figures mentioned in the question, and I am not aware of the existence of the laws in Turkey and Russia to which the hon. Member refers. As he has already been informed, steps are being taken to bring up to date the information already published in Parliamentary Papers366W with regard to legislation affecting gambling in "options" and "futures" in foreign countries. I see no reason to think that any part of the depreciation in Consols can be traced to operations of the nature referred to in the last part of the question.