§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state whether any Return of unclaimed dividends on Consols is published: and, if not, will he say what efforts are made to trace the owners.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.)No Return of unclaimed dividends on Consols is published. Before the time arrives for transferring unclaimed stock and dividends to the National Debt Commissioners, notices are sent out by the Bank of England to the stockholders. If these notices are returned through the Post Office, further efforts are made, where possible, to reach the stockholders through their stockbrokers or others who may have acted for them under powers of attorney. At all times the Bank officials are ready to give assistance to persons who apply to them in the belief that they are interested in unclaimed stock.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI have considered the question of advertising a list of these unclaimed stocks, but the information at my disposal leads me to the conclusion that it is very undesirable. At one time they were advertised and it led to very great abuses.