HC Deb 26 February 1953 vol 511 cc2294-5
40. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as a matter of urgency, he will introduce a measure to enable £1 million or some other substantial amount to be taken from unclaimed funds in Chancery, under appropriate Government guarantee to future claimants, to be used to augment the Lord Mayor's Flood Relief Fund.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

No, Sir. Her Majesty's Government appreciate the intention which underlies my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, but do not feel able to accept it. Almost the whole of the cash to the credit of the Dormant Funds Account constitutes a liability on the Consolidated Fund, to which it has been transferred, and the hon. and gallant Member's proposal would, in effect, mean a direct contribution by the State.

Brigadier Medlicott

Is it not a fact that these funds are, nevertheless, continuing to accumulate and now amount to £3 million, and that there is, in fact, good precedent for taking £1 million from the fund, as was done many years ago to build the Law Courts.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

My hon. and gallant Friend has reminded me of a precedent and I am prepared to look into it. The fact is, as I stated, that they are at present a liability on the Consolidated Fund.