§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Official Receiver under the Winding-up of Companies Act, 1890, has been, or will be, authorised to employ any public money, and, if so, how much, in connection with the liquidation of any, and what, companies respectively; and in what cases the shareholders have made themselves liable to the Official Receiver for his costs and expenses; and, if so, up to what amount?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS BEACHIn two cases certain payments not exceeding £80 have been authorised to be paid out of public funds on the ground that inquiries were necessary in the public interest, the facts being in each instance such as to disclose a primâ facie case of fraud. I am not prepared to state the names of the companies. In addition to the above sum there may probably be a charge 528 against the Vote for the Bankruptcy Department for the cost of shorthand notes of public examination of Directors and others in cases where there are no available assets. With regard to the latter portion of the question, the Official Receiver reports that he has not found it necessary in any case, up to the present, to ask the shareholders to become liable for any costs or expenses incurred by him.