§ MR. H. B. SHERIDANI wish, Sir, to claim the indulgence of the House while I make a brief statement of a personal nature. I have been reminded that I omitted to refer last night to one point which was urged against me by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The right hon. Gentleman stated, that some six years ago I was Auditor of one of the Insurance Companies to which he referred, and that in my capacity of Auditor, I presume, the right hon. Gentleman intended to say I passed accounts that ought not to have been passed.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI beg to call the hon. Gentleman to order. I never made any such statement.
§ MR. H. B. SHERIDANI am very glad to hear it. I beg to explain that six years ago I twice, acted as Auditor to the Company in question, and that I subsequently withdrew from the office of Auditor. That Company was then in a position which enabled it to meet all its policy obligations. and to this moment it has, I have ascertained, met all its obligations, and all its policy holders are secured. Therefore, so far as my connection with that company six years ago is concerned, the functions which as Auditor I discharged were not exercised with reference to a Society which was not able to meet its financial obligations.