§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N. E.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when the Weymouth Trustee Savings Bank closed recently, any representative of the Post 334 Office Savings Bank Department was allowed by the Trustees of that bank to be present to advise the depositors; whether the books of the Trustee Bank were handed over to a private bank at Weymouth, the deposits being transferred to such bank; whether he is aware that a man named Scorey claims the sum of £51 5s. 1d., deposited by his deceased wife so long ago as 1850, together with the interest accruing since that date, supposed to amount altogether to about £100; whether the manager or some other person in authority at the bank has declared that the money was long ago paid; and whether such sum or any sum could be legally so paid without the production and presentation of the deposit book of the depositor; and, if so, what security is there for the rightful disposal of the unclaimed sums in the hands of the Trustees of the Weymouth Bank at the time of its closing, or of any such bank in the United Kingdom?
§ * MR. GOSCHENThe Trustees of the Weymouth Savings Bank notified to the National Debt Commissioners on 30th November, 1888, their intention to close the Savings Bank. The bank was finally closed on 12th February, 1889, by a transfer of the deposits then remaining to the Post Office Savings Bank. On the list of deposits so transferred, amounting to £162 10s. 8d., there is no mention of any deposit in the name of Scorey, and the Commissioners have no knowledge of the facts contained in the question respecting this account; nor is it within their knowledge that the ledgers were handed over to a private bank at Weymouth. It is true, however, that the assistance of the Post Office Authorities was declined during the closing, and that in a circular to the depositors dated 15th November, 1888, it was stated by the Trustees that the depositors might (1) receive their money in cash after 14 days' notice, or (2) have the same transferred to the Post Office Savings Bank, where 2½ per cent. per annum is allowed, or (3) have the same invested at the Savings Bank Department of Messrs. Elliot and Co.'s bank, where 3 per cent. per annum will be allowed from the date of deposit. On 20th November, 1888, the number of deposits remaining unpaid was 335 1,203, and the amount £46,902 11s. 1d., and of these, 65 deposits in all were transferred to the Post Office Savings Bank, amounting to £4,125 18s. 5d.; but the Commissioners are unable to state how the remainder was disposed of. If there be any dispute between the Trustees and a depositor, or any persons claiming to be entitled to a deposit, the Barrister appointed under the Savings Banks Act of 1863 (for this purpose the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies) is empowered by the 48th Section of the Act to decide upon the matter in dispute, and he would doubtless take into consideration the legality or otherwise of the payment of a deposit without production of the pass-book.
§ MR. HOWELLMay I ask whether the books when closed were handed over to the National Debt Commissioners? Is there any means of ascertaining what the outstanding liabilities may be?
§ * MR. GOSCHENI understand the books were not handed over to the Post Office Savings Bank. If the hon. Member wishes for further information I will give it to him privately or across the floor of the House, as he pleases.