§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a number of policy holders in the Irish Provident Assurance Company have been refused all information as to the status, liabilities, and nature of securities held by the said company for their protection and the discharge of liabilities guaranteed by them; whether any information as to the status, this company is in possession of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies or Friendly Societies; and, if so, will he cause a Return to be made giving such information for the benefit of these policy holders.
§ MR. BONAR LAWI am not aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. The company in question is registered under the Companies Acts but is not registered as a Friendly Society. The returns deposited by the 89 company under the Companies Acts may be inspected at the Dublin Registry by any person on the payment of the prescribed fee. I may add, as I stated in reply to a Question recently asked by the hon. Member for West Kerry, that a question has arisen as to the liability of the company to render returns under the Life Assurance Companies Acts, and the matter is under the consideration of the Irish Law Officers.
MR. J. P. FAREELLIf the policy holders of the company are dissatisfied with its management and believe it is conducted on fraudulent principles, can the hon. Gentleman's Department interfere?
§ MR. BONAR LAWWe have no powers other than those I have named in my Answer.