HC Deb 16 January 1913 vol 46 cc2228-9
8. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Attorney-General for Ireland has compared the original report made last autumn by the auditors, Messrs. Stokes, Brothers, and Pim, on the affairs of the Guardian Bank, with the version of the report submitted to the shareholders; if any paragraphs have been omitted from the latter, what their purport is; and, if the omission was intended or calculated to mislead the shareholders, what action he will take with reference thereto?

Mr. BIRRELL

A petition has been filed with a view to winding up this concern and is down for hearing on the 20th instant. The case is therefore sub judice, and I cannot make any statement in the matter.

Mr. GINNELL

Seeing that this case involves a breach of the criminal law, why has it not been investigated since it was brought to the notice of the Government on 17th October last?

Mr. BIRRELL

The case has run its ordinary course. It is no part of our business to institute criminal proceedings of this kind unless we are provided with definite evidence. The case will now be investigated judicially.

Mr. GINNELL

Is it not the duty of the administrators of the criminal law to find out whether or not crime has been committed in this case?

Mr. BIRRELL

As far as we can.

76. Mr. GINNELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet examined the original Report, already brought under his notice, made last autumn by the auditors of the Guardian Bank, Dublin; what was the purport of the paragraphs omitted from the version submitted to the shareholders; and, if the omission was intended or calculated to mislead the shareholders to their detriment, what action will the Board take with reference thereto?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)

I have not seen the Report to the shareholders by the auditors of the Guardian Bank, Limited, which was referred to in their certificate on the company's last balance-sheet, and the Board of Trade are not entitled to require its production. I have no information that any part of the original Report was omitted from the copy supplied to the shareholders.