§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the expediency of communicating with President Wilson, pointing out that the rise in the price of wheat is largely owing to options and futures gambling transactions on the New York and other American stock exchanges; whether he will communicate to the President the effect of the restrictive regulations enforced on British stock exchanges?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI do not think I can usefully take any steps in the direction indicated.
§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is a fact that the corn trade introduced dealings in options into London in October, 1897; whether, in view of the danger which has subsequently arisen from gambling in food products, shares, metals, and commodities, he is aware that gambling on 'Change is an evil gradually taking hold on all classes of society; and whether he will consider the advisability, when opportunity occurs, of summoning an international congress to confer respecting the best means of suppressing options and futures gambling operations by continuing the present restrictions to real contracts for delivery?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGENo dealing in wheat options has been permitted on the British Exchanges since the outbreak of War. As regards the last part of the question, I see no prospects of an opportunity for useful action on the lines suggested.