§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he will consider the question of introducing legislation calling upon joint stock companies to disclose the amount of unclaimed dividends in their possession?
§ The PRESIDENT Of the BOARD Of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)As at present advised, I do not think that any useful object will be served by requiring joint stock companies to set out as a separate item in their balance sheets the amount of unclaimed dividends in their possession, and I do not therefore propose to introduce legislation with this end in view.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYWould the right hon. Gentleman condescend to give any reasons for that opinion, and does he not think it would be to the advantage of the State and to the rightful owners of these funds that they should be handed over to the Public Trustee?
§ Mr. BUXTONThat would require legislation, and at present it is not opportune to have legislation with regard to that. As regards the other matters, if my hon. Friend has any particulars to give me I shall be glad to consider them.