§ 35 and 49. Mr. CURRIEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the expected communication from the Society of Solicitors before the Supreme Courts in Scotland as to the position of Mr. Horatius Stuart, Edinburgh, has now been received; if so, whether it is regarded as satisfactory; whether, failing this, any understanding has been arrived at with the society as to a definite date by which the communication will be forthcoming; whether the Bank of England, in connection with its employment by the Government in the issue of loans, keeps a register of the names of brokers, bankers, firms, etc., suitable and qualified for inclusion therein; and whether Mr. Stuart's name has for some time appeared and still appears on such list; and (2) whether he is aware that the practice of the Bank of England in connection with the payment of dividends on Consols due to persons in Scotland disabled by bodily weakness from signing their names is to demand delivery of an illegally executed document and, failing delivery of such document, to retain the money in its own coffers in definitely; whether the Bank of England accounts to the Treasury for interest in respect of money so retained or simply keeps this interest, or the equivalent use of the money, for its private advantage; whether he can take steps to render secure notaries in Scotland who are parties to the execution of documents in Scotland under pressure from the Government's English bankers; whether, in view of the desirability of rendering investment in the public stocks of the United Kingdom as simple and convenient for Scottish investors as possible, he will have this practice brought to an end; whether the chief accountant of the Bank of England has any authority to give advice and instructions to Scottish notaries concerning the execution of documents in Scotland and, if so, whence it is derived; if so, whether he has at his disposal the guidance of a solicitor in Scotland and, if so, of what solicitor; and whether this solicitor is responsible for the action of the Bank of England in the case under notice?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am making inquiries with regard to the points raised, and will communicate further with the hon. Member on receipt of the necessary information.