§ SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state or approximately estimate the amount of unclaimed dividends on Consols and other National funds; of unclaimed deposits and balances in Joint stock, trustees, and post Office Savings Banks: of the unclaimed dividends of joint stock and of limited liability companies: and of unclaimed funds in Chancery and other courts of law; and whether in default of specific information as to the detailed and aggregate amounts of these unclaimed funds, he will agree to an inquiry with a view to their being utilised for the relief of the taxation of the country.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHWith regard to the majority of the various funds of the nature of unclaimed dividends which are in the hands of or under the control of Government, I will send to the hon. Member the information he desires, but it would not be possible to present the facts intelligibly within the limits of an answer. Perhaps I may take this opportunity of saying that the idea which appears to he prevalent in some quarters that there are large sums of such moneys lying idle is quite a mistake. The total amount is not at all huge, and the moneys are I think in all cases, where of sufficient amount, usefully employed. With regard to funds of a similar nature outside the purview of Government, I have no information, and I do not at present see how it is to be obtained: but I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.