§ MR. RICHARDSON (Nottingham, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that George Henry Taylor, of Kyte Street, Nottingham, filed his petition in bankruptcy in November, 1885, and paid 11d. in the £., his liabilities being between £4,000 and £5,000; that in March, 1907, he called his creditors together and through the Official Receiver paid them the balance £3,917 1s. 2d., 19s. 1d. in the £ whether he is aware that cheques to the amount of £146 15s. 7d. were returned to the Official Receiver marked not known, and that the Official Receiver has paid over this £146 15s. 7d. to the Board of Trade, to whom Mr. Taylor has made application for repayment, but is refused on technical grounds; and will he take such measures as will enable Mr. Taylor to secure this money.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe facts are as stated by my hon. friend, except that claims amounting to upwards of £50 have now been made on the undistributed balance mentioned. The Board of Trade are in the position of trustees for the creditors in respect of any such balance and are under statutory obligation, without limitation of time, to hold the amount at the disposal of the creditors concerned, who have proved in the bankruptcy upon their establishing the claims to be undistributed dividend. I have no power to enable Mr. Taylor to secure the money in question.
§ MR. RICHARDSONBut could not the Board of Trade release the money if the debtor gave security for its payment in case of necessity?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am advised by legal authorities that I have not that power.