§ MR. CAINE (Cornwall, Camborne)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that there has been a sum of about £10,000 lying without interest at the Bank of England to the credit 171 of the Scinde, Punjab, and Delhi Railway, for the last twenty years; that in 1886, this undertaking was vested in the Government of India, and that Section 54 of the Act provided for the eventual dissolution of the company; is he aware that this clause has been inoperative, the company, though still in existence, being without direction, the, last surviving director having died last year; and, seeing that this deposit represents various sums distributable under Section 53 of the Act between stockholders of the company to parties who cannot be traced, will he introduce a Bill, or otherwise provide for the final dissolution of the railway company, and authorising the Bank to pay the money to the Treasury for the benefit of India, subject, within a clearly defined period, to the presentation of any cheques now in existence, signed by the late directors of the company.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONSince replying to the question put by the hon. Member on 15th July last†, I have been in communication with the Treasury, who are of opinion that nothing can be done in the matter without legislation. I am advised that the funds in question are the property of certain shareholders of the Scinde, Punjab, and Delhi Railway Company, or their representatives, and that neither the Secretary of State in Council, nor the Government of India has any interest in them. In those circumstances I do not propose to promote legislation, for the purpose of acquiring control over the money.