Some liken capitalism to a religion. The comparison goes too far, yet unquestionably some religious faiths and ethnic groups seem to have a particular affinity for free enterprise. For hundreds of years, Jewish people have achieved great things in commerce in countries all over the world. But other minorities have had an impact too.

For example, the Quakers have had an extraordinary impact on industry and commerce in Britain in the past 200 years. In fact, the foundations of much of our industrial revolution were laid by just 0.2 per cent of the population. Many are aware that the chocolate maker Cadbury is Quaker-founded, as well as the shoe maker C & J Clarks. And both Rowntree and Fry, also great chocolate makers, were Quakers. It is also well known that two of the five major clearing banks - Lloyds and Barclays - were founded by Friends. That inheritance alone would suggest