§ 58. Mr. DELANYasked the Attorney-General for Ireland if the National Standard Life Insurance Corporation, Limited, have not paid a sum of £800 due to industrial policy holders in the district of Mountmellick, Queen's County, since the 1st November, 1915; if the company's local agents are still collecting £6 per week in the district from poor policy holders; whether any complaints have been made to the authorities, or any information conveyed to them, that this company have had to be compelled to pay on matured policies by legal process after lengthy 1780 evasion and delay; if he has any information as to the financial position of the company; and whether he proposes taking legislative or other action to protect policy holders under such circumstances from being subjected to fraud?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Gordon)I have been informed that there are claims of a considerable amount due to industrial policy holders in Mountmellick district, Queen's County, which have remained unpaid since the 1st November, and that the agent of the National Standard Insurance Corporation, Limited, has on these grounds refused to collect for the company the premiums on current policies since the 27th December. No complaints have been made to the authorities by the policyholders in Mountmellick district, who, it is understood, are taking legal advice in the matter, while those in Tullamore have already taken proceedings. I have not sufficient information on which to form an opinion as to the financial position of the company.
§ Mr. DELANYWould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Crown would prosecute if sworn information was made in one of these cases?
§ Mr. GORDONI must see the information before I answer a question like that.