MR. GREGOEYasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he is a ware 1717 that, notwithstanding the provisions of the Act 6 and 7 Will. 4, c. 86, the Bank of England declines to accept the certificate of the Registrar General, accompanied by a declaration of identity, as evidence of the death of a party whose name appears in their books as a proprietor of stock, either alone or jointly with others, and require a certificate of the burial of such person; and, whether the transfer of stock might not be facilitated by an alteration of the requirements of the Bank in this respect, with perfect security to that institution?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDRES)Sir, in reply to the hon. Member I have to state that the Bank have power to call for such evidence as they may require of the title of a person claiming to make a transfer of stock. In the ease of a transfer of stock standing in a single name, it is not usual to require proof of death by an extract from the register of burial, or by a certificate of death, although in exceptional cases it may be necessary. But where stock stands in the name of two or more persons it is usual to require either the production of probate of the will of the deceased, or evidence of burial. Before 1844 the Bank accepted in such cases a certificate of death; but a great forgery trial in that year rendered apparent the insufficiency of such certificates, and since that year the Bank have required the evidence now necessary. I am not satisfied that it would be safe to alter this rule.