§ 26. Mr. RAPERasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the great distress caused by the failure of Farrow's Bank; and whether it is proposed to give assistance in the more necessitous cases?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)I am fully alive to the hardship which has been caused to the depositors by the failure of this bank, but I do not think that the circumstances are such as would justify the grant of relief from public funds.
§ Mr. RAPERWill the assets which exist in the shape of land and buildings be sold on the public market, and will the assets be credited with the amounts wrongly paid in taxation?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI cannot answer the first question and I ought not to answer the second, which, in the form in which it is put, assumes the very matter which is now sub judice. I hope the House will not press questions in regard to it. The question before the court is whether the balance sheets have been falsified. When a decision has been come to I can speak with greater freedom.
§ Mr. W. THORNEHas the Government considered the advisability of doing somethings, if possible, for the very large number of unfortunate people who have put their savings into this bank.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat is the question I have answered