§ MR. SEALE-HAYNE (Devon, Ashburton)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he has received a Petition from dissatisfied Bondholders of the Provident Association of London, complaining of the confiscation of their savings, and praying that the Association should be included among the Friendly and Benefit Societies whose working and constitution are being investigated by a Committee of the House of Commons; and, if not, what steps-have been taken in this matter; and,, whether the Government will extend the scope of that Committee's powers, so as to include the numerous Building and other Societies now in an insolvent state?
§ * THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. Smith,) Strand, WestminsterThe subject was brought under my consideration by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for West flam, and I was asked to receive a deputation on the subject. This request I was obliged to refuse, as I did not possess either the authority or the information which would enable me to take any action in the matter, nor did I consider it was part of my duty to investigate grievances of bondholders or of shareholders who, if they have been wronged, have their legal remedy. I am informed that the Select Committee on Friendly Societies will shortly report, and it would be impossible, therefore, 1105 at this period of the Session to extend the scope of their inquiries as suggested.