§ SIB E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the statement by the Secretary of the Liberator Depositors' Committee that all the details and necessary materials for a public prosecution, with regard to the Jabez Balfour Companies, were sent to the Treasury by the Official Receiver more than six months ago; and, if so, why no action has been taken?
§ MR. BRYCEThe papers referred to were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, not by the Official Receiver, but by the Board of Trade, on dates varying from the 30th of October, 1893, to the 25th of April, 1894. The discretion as to proceedings rests with the Director of Public Prosecutions, who, I understand, is acting under the advice of the Law Officers. I have nothing to add to the answer already given to a similar question by the Solicitor General.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTMay I ask whether, seeing that these Papers have been presented by the Department over which the right hon. Gentleman presides, he will put pressure on the Director of Public Prosecutions to take steps in this very important matter?
§ MR. BRYCEThe matter rests not with the Board of Trade, but with the Law Officers, and it is on them pressure, if any is necessary, should be brought to.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI will put a question to the Attorney General on the subject.