§ Sir R. THOMASasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that exorbitant rates of interest are frequently extorted by moneylenders from borrowers; that this is, in a very large number of cases, rendered possible or facilitated by the fact that the borrower is unaware of and unable to calculate the rate of interest, owing to the way in which the documents signed by them are expressed; and whether the Government will consider the advisability of amending the law by compelling moneylenders to state clearly on the face of the documents signed by the borrowers the rate of interest which is being charged?
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§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. The suggestion of my hon. Friend that moneylenders should be compelled by Statute to state clearly on the face of the document signed by the borrower the rate of interest which is being charged shall receive consideration.