§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, inasmuch as further legal proceedings appear to be threatened in connection with the winding-up of the Birkbeck Bank and Building Society, the Board of Trade or the Official Receiver possess any powers by which the assets of the bank may be protected from being spent upon litigation?
Mr. ROBERTSONNotice has been given of an appeal from the recent decision of Mr. Justice Neville in the case of the Birkbeck Permanent Benefit Building Society. Neither the Board of Trade nor the Official Receiver has any power to prevent such an appeal.
§ Mr. BOWERMANHas the right hon. Gentleman been made aware, through the Official Receiver, that a large majority of the depositors of this bank, something like five-sevenths, are quite willing to accept the decision of Mr. Justice Neville; and, if that be so, would it be possible for the Official Receiver to take a poll of the depositors, and act upon their decision?
Mr. ROBERTSONIt would not be possible as the law stands. It seems a case for action of another kind.
§ Mr. BOWERMANAm I to take it, then, that these depositors have no protection from the Government?