§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the time assigned by Act of Parliament for the periodical publication of the list of dormant funds in Chancery is now long passed; and, if so, whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to prevent any further inconvenience arising to the suitors from the disregard of the Law by the Public Department which he represents in the House of Commons?
§ MR. COURTNEYNo time is fixed by statute for the publication of these lists; but a Chancery rule directs that they should be published as soon as may be after the 1st of September. As the list has to be made up to that date the work cannot be commenced until after it; and as it has to be compiled by the regular staff of the office from books constantly in use its preparation necessarily takes some time. By the new rules the date prescribed for its publication is March 1. Two causes have prevented this date being attained on the present occasion—first, the large changes in the personnel, duties, and organization of the Pay Office consequent on recent forms and organization; and, secondly, the introduction of a new and greatly improved form of Return, which will give more information to the public in a better form; but which, on its first introduction, entails a great deal of additional labour. The Return will be ready in about four weeks.