§ MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the disability under the present Bankruptcy Acts of commercial travellers who are paid by commission and who, in the event of the bankruptcy of the firm employing them, are entitled to rank as ordinary creditors only and to receive for any moneys which may be due to them such dividend as the estate may realise, as against the commercial traveller who is paid a salary and ranks as a preferential creditor in the event of the bankruptcy of his firm; and whether he will, in any future alteration of the Bankruptcy Law, provide that all commercial travellers, whether paid by commission or by salary, shall rank as preferential creditors.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) As I informed my hon. friend the Member for Christchurch, in answer to a similar Question addressed to me on 24th of last month, I am advised that it is doubtful whether the suggessed disability exists under the present law as judicially interpreted. I will, however, carefully consider whether any amendment of the law in this matter is necessary in the event of the introduction of a Bill to amend the Bankruptcy Acts.