§ 72. Sir WALTER de FRECEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are a number of British people benefiting by wills proved in Dublin and left in the hands of Irish trustees; whether, in view of the uncertainty of the political situation in that country, it is possible for the English Government to acquire or, if that is too late, to negotiate for the transfer of such securities belonging to British people into British hands; whether he is aware that, owing to the destruction of the Four Courts, many English people who normally received dividends out of the Irish Court were without dividends at all for many months, when the books were burned in this affair: and whether he will investigate the whole position, and make the income and capital of the people concerned during the transference suggested as secure, as it used to be?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I have been asked to answer this question. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative, and in reply 2757 to the second part, it is open to the parties concerned to make such arrangements, either by application to the Court or otherwise, as they may desire for the appointment of new trustees. As regards the third part, if the hon. Member will send me more specific details of the sort of case he has in mind, I will consider the matter and see whether I can advise him further.