§ 60 Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Chancellor. of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the Bank of England refuses to recognise the rights of Scottish holders (under age) of British funds to transfer, with the consent of their curators (guardians), their holdings, thus disregarding a right conferred on such persons unconditionally by the Imperial Parliament, he will take steps to establish control over the proceedings of the Bank of England where it is acting for the Government in respect of loans made to the Government?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer is in the negative. I am not aware that the Bank of England is bound by any Act of Parliament or otherwise to apply different laws in regard to the transfer of stock held by Scottish and English holders under full age, and there are practical difficulties in the way of any such differentiation. The question whether these difficulties can be overcome has been considered in the past without success, but I will have it further looked into.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that under Section 2 of the Married Women's Property Act, 1920, the husband of a woman under 21 is a 1570 curator, he has absolute title, and in the circumstances every time an application of this kind is made the Bank of England requires a judgment of the court, which makes it prohibitive for the small investor to invest?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir, of course, I carry all these matters in mind.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not a case where the assistance of some eminent Scottish lawyer is desirable?