§ MR. WATT (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that large sums of money are held by the Scottish banks on deposit receipts; that many of the thrifty of the working class invest their savings in that way; that the loss or mislay of the receipt destroys all evidence of the transaction except the evidence of the books of the banks; that no effort whatever is made by the banks to find the owners of these sums or their representatives; and that, ultimately, the money goes to enrich the shareholders of the banks; and whether, under these circumstances, he will institute a Departmental Inquiry into this matter.
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR,) ForfarshireI am aware 95 that considerable sums are invested in the manner described by my hon. friend, and I will cause inquiry to be made regarding the points raised in the latter part of the Question.
§ MR. YOUNGER (Ayr Burghs)Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the statement that the banks make no efforts to find the owners of these sums——
§ MR. SINCLAIRI have said I will inquire.
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order. Really, I think other hon. Members who have Questions on the Paper should have some chance.