§ 25. Mr. DAWESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the large number of persons affected by the suspension of the National Penny Bank, Limited, he will take immediate steps to have an official investigation made into the administration of the bank?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Board of Trade have no power to investigate the administration of a company which is in voluntary liquidation, as in the case of the National Penny Bank, Limited. Any shareholder or creditor of the company, however, can present a petition to the Court for an Order for compulsory liquidation, and if such an Order is obtained, an investigation is made by the Official Receiver, who is an officer of the Board of Trade, but until such an Order has been made the Board have no jurisdiction to make any investigation.