§ MR. HOWELLI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the Post Office Savings Bank Department has refused to accept the transfer of moneys, deposited by the Trustees of the Camberwell branch of the Amalgamated Society of Painters and Decorators, with the Trustees of the Camberwell Savings Bank, to the Post Office Savings Bank; and, if so, on what grounds the refusal is based; whether he is aware that the moneys aforesaid, amounting to £118 1s. 3d., were deposited in the Camberwell Savings Banks under the Friendly Societies' Clause, as a Friendly Society, and was entered as G. 583 in the said bank; whether the Amalgamated Society of Painters and Decorators is a Friendly Society within the meaning of the Act, and has been allowed, as such, to deposit its funds in Trustee or Post Office Savings Banks for many years, and has now deposited funds in the Post Office Savings Banks of the country; whether he is aware that this branch of the Amalgamated Society of Painters and Decorators is unable, by reason of the closing of the Camberwell Savings Bank, and the refusal of the Post Office to accept the transfer of its funds, to make payments to its members for sickness, funeral, accident, out of work, and other benefits; and, whether he will cause such transfer to be accepted without delay, in accordance with the existing law and practice in similar cases?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareThe National Debt Commissioners are responsible for what has happened, and, therefore, the question 1343 ought to have been addressed to me instead of my right hon. Friend. I am making inquiries into the matter, and will be glad if the right hon. Member will postpone the question until tomorrow.