§ 54. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury has any claim against any banking or trading firms trading in this country under the Tsarist régime, either as creditor or under bonô vacantia; and, if so, whether it is proposed to prosecute these claims?
§ Mr. COOPERThe Treasury has claims as a creditor against certain banks and trading firms incorporated under the law of Tsarist Russia, and formerly carrying on business in this country, which are being wound up under the provisions of the Companies Acts. Proofs in respect of these claims have been lodged in the liquidation and the claims are being prosecuted. The question whether any title to a surplus arising in such liquidation accrues to the Crown as bonô vacantia will be considered in due course.
§ Mr. WHITEMay I assume from my hon. Friend's reply that the Government are in fact doing everything possible to clear up the uncertainty in regard to these very large sums of money?
§ Mr. COOPERYes, Sir.