§ MR. BARRAN (Leeds, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the condition of the registers of joint stock companies at Somerset House, dirt and wear having made it impossible to trace the names of many companies, and whether he will have the necessary repairs done or new registers provided.
I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in consideration of the increased number of persons requiring to visit the search room to see
† See Col. 932.1143 the registers of joint stock companies at Somerset House, he can see his way to having more accommodation provided.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGENew registers or indexes with improved desks to facilitate reference to them have been in preparation for some time, and it is expected that the arrangements will be complete in the course of the next three months. The cost of printing the indexes is considerable. They are calculated to last five years, but from their increased bulk and the ever-increasing numbers of persons using them, those at present in use have not lasted so long as usual. The question of increased space for the accommodation and comfort of the large number of persons attending daily to inspect companies' files has been under serious consideration for some time. The Board of Inland Revenue experience a difficulty in the matter as the space at their disposal is limited, but I hope at an early date that such arrangements will be made as will result in obviating, for some years to come, complaints in that direction.