§ MR. WALLACEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the proceedings in the liquidation of the Bread Union (Limited) are subject to his cognisance, under Section 25 of the Companies (Winding-up) Act, or otherwise; and, if so, whether he can say if the result of a recent criminal prosecution of the promoters of the Company by the liquidator was a promise to pay £1,000 in cash and £4,000 in bills extending over eighteen months; whether the cost of this procedure amounted to £1,500 or what other sum; whether he can say how much of the fruits of the prosecution have been actually recovered for the benefit of creditors; whether the liquidator is contemplating or taking steps to prosecute civilly the directors or any of them; and whether it is the duty of the Inspector General in company liquidation, or of whom else, to restrain prosecutions by liquidators through their solicitors that are likely to result mainly in large solicitors' and other costs, but in little, if any, gain for creditors?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I am informed that the Bread Union (Limited) is being wound up voluntarily under the supervision of the Court. The proceedings are not within the cognisance of the Board of Trade under the 25th section of the Companies (Winding-up) Act. I am, therefore, unable to furnish the information asked for by the hon. Member. The Act of 1890 does not empower the Inspector General to exercise any control over the administrative action of liquidators in such cases.