MR. HOWARD WHITBREAD (Beds., S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Luton Chamber of Commerce, pointing out the danger to the trading community which arises from the large and increasing number of bankrupts who continue to carry on business although they have not obtained their discharge, and suggesting as a remedy that an annual supplement to The London Gazette be published giving the names of all undischarged bankrupts, and that all undischarged bankrupts be required once a year to attend their respective Courts for examination; and whether Her Majesty's Government propose to give effect to such recommendations?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideYes, Sir; I received the resolution in question. The names of all persons who are adjudicated bankrupt are duly published in The London Gazette at the time of adjudication, and the names of such bankrupts as are discharged are also published in the same manner when the discharge is granted. The expense of re-publishing annually a separate list of undischarged bankrupts would amount to several thousands a year. Before all undischarged bank- 1132 rupts can be required once a year to attend their ree necessary, which I am not at present prepared to recommend.