§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTS (Westminster)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Why the Annual Return, styled "Bank of England (Annual Accounts of Exchequer Bills, &c.)," which is usually presented to the House of Commons in February, pursuant to 59 Geo. III., c. 76, s. 5, and 24 Vict., c. 3, s. 9, has not yet been ordered to be printed and circulated; and, whether the names, addresses, and descriptions of the stockholders, with the amounts unclaimed in each case, could be given 26 in a Schedule to the Return, and thus enable the representatives of such stockholders to put in their claims?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN)(who replied) (St. George's, Hanover Square)said: the Return referred to was presented to the House last February. It rests with the House to order it to be printed and circulated. Such a Schedule as the hon. Member suggests would involve enormous labour, and, when complete, it would probably be already out of date. Moreover, the Bank Authorities fear that the publication of the names of persons who have not claimed their dividends might conduce to fraudulent practices. I may say, however, that every reasonable assistance is already given to the public to enable them to claim dividends, the notice being sent to the last known address in case of all dividends unclaimed for 10 years, or for any considerable time less than 10 years, when the stock has been disposed of. The amounts unclaimed are yearly diminishing.