§ MR. J. WARDI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to an 587 escheat in what is known as the Page's Estate case; and whether, in view of the repeated allegations of official connivance in the loss of this property to the Crown, he will consider the advisability of setting the whole question at rest once and for all by appointing a small Committee to go fully into the subject and report upon the same.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH, Fifeshire, E.)The circumstances of this case, in which it is alleged that there has been an escheat of certain real estate to the Grown were, in or about the year 1870 and have been repeatedly since that date, brought to the notice of the Treasury, with the result that that Department, acting under legal advice, has always, I have no doubt on sufficient grounds, declined to take any action. In view, however, of the interest which appears to be taken in the matter, I have spoken to the Attorney-General, and we propose to examine the documents ourselves.