§ MR. S. LEIGHTON, in rising to call attention to the want of information with reference to the "suitors' funds" in Chancery; and to move—
That the future lists of unclaimed money be issued with cross references triennially; 72 stating the amount of fund in Court; with the names and last known addresses of persons supposed to be entitled; together with the date of the last decree,said, there was a large amount of money belonging to many persons who did not claim it, because there was no sufficient publication of lists of names of those entitled, who were, therefore, kept in ignorance of their rights. In that way the spirit of the Act of Parliament on the subject was violated, and so much secrecy was maintained that persons were not able to claim the money that was due to them. Lists ought to be published every three years. They were due in 1873, 1876, and 1879, and the fourth was due in 1882. But only two lists had been published, and it had required much pressure to obtain these. It was said to be the fault of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, who would not provide the Accountant General with the staff that was required to get out the lists. Those that had been published were not as useful as they might be, for, although they professed to be alphabetical, names were not to be found under their initial letters. The hon. Member concluded by moving the Resolution of which he had given Notice.
§
Amendment proposed,
To leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "the future lists of unclaimed money be issued with cross references triennially; stating the amount of fund of the suitors' fund in Chancery; with the names and last known addresses of persons supposed to be entitled thereto; together with the date of the last decree,"—(Mr. Stanley Leighton,)
—instead thereof.
§ Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHsaid, he would admit that there had been some delay in the publication of the lists; but as the staff of the Accountant General's Office had been increased, he hoped there would be no ground for complaint in that respect in the future. With regard to the form of the accounts, that was settled by Lord Cranworth, when Lord Chancellor, and the matter was in the hands of the Lord Chancellor for the time being. Those who were responsible for looking after 73 these funds, in the interests of suitors and of the public, were of opinion that it was not desirable to make some of the changes suggested, and for these reasons it was his duty to resist the Motion.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Main Question, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," put, and agreed to.