§ 29. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has any information as to the amount of unclaimed dividends lying to the balance of special accounts throughout the country of all limited and private limited accounts?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe answer is in the negative.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEMay I ask whether the Treasury or His Majesty's Government have any settled policy in regard to the enormous amount of unclaimed dividends and balances?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe policy with regard to unclaimed bank balances has not changed since the Select Committee in 1919 reported upon the subject and said that, from the point of view of the State, they are not of any great concern.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it not a fact that all these unclaimed balances do not belong to the banks, and ought to belong to the State and the hon. Gentleman ought to take charge of them?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have answered that question.