HC Deb 13 February 1900 vol 78 cc1371-2
SIR J. LENG (Dundee)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade how the unclaimed balance for the year 1898–9 of £5,757, in respect of the wages and effects of deceased seamen, will be applied, and for what purpose £17,747 has been accumulated under this head since the year 1893–4.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) Croydon

The unclaimed balance of the estates of deceased seamen for the year 1898–9 of £5,737 will be applied to the payment of claims on the estates it represents. After six years what balance is still unclaimed will be paid over to the Exchequer in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Mercantile Marine Fund) Act of 1898. The sum of £17,747 has been accumulated under this head to comply with this Act and the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894, which do not permit the Board of Trade to deal with the unclaimed estates of deceased seamen till six years after their receipt, and require the Board after that period to pay the balance then unclaimed into the Exchequer. Previously to the Act of 1898 they were paid into the Mercantile Marine Fund.