Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Central Mining and Investment Corporation, Limited, registered in this country on 9th May, 1905, has acquired certain mining claims known as the Lark Syndicate, the possession of which has been the subject of litigation in the South African Courts, and that the result of that litigation has been to throw doubt upon the legality of the Central Company's ownership in the property; and if, as the company is registered in Great Britain, he will take steps to ascertain whether the facts are such as to justify some action being taken against those responsible for the direction of the Central Company?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe only information in the possession of the Board of Trade with regard to the subject referred to by the hon. Member is contained in letters which they received last June from a gentleman who considers that he is entitled to possession of certain mining claims in South Africa. Any dispute on this subject can only be determined by the Courts, and the Board of Trade cannot intervene in the matter.