§ MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, although the estate of the firm of George Barker and Company has been in liquidation for nearly two years, only one dividend of 1s. has at present been paid to the creditors; and whether, considering that a large number of poor persons are interested in the winding up of the estate, the Board of Trade can take action to bring about a speedy settlement of its affairs?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideI am aware that only one dividend of 1s. in the £1 has at present been paid to the creditors in the joint estate of George Barker & Co., and 20s. in the £1 on the separate estates. The estate has been administered by two trustees and a Committee of Inspection elected by the creditors. The Board of Trade, in consequence of certain facts which were brought to their notice, removed the two trustees of the 6th ultimo, and the estate is now vested in the Senior Official Receiver of the High Court as Trustee. It is hoped that a further dividend will shortly be distributed.
§ MR. J. ROWLANDSCan the Official Receiver act quite independently of the Committee of Inspection? If not, can the power to do so possibly be granted him, in view of the grave charges made against the Committee?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe trustees having been removed, the Committee of Inspection will come under the orders of the Court.