§ Mr. REMNANTasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the goods of Mrs. Emily Pridgeon, of Victoria Road, Teddington, have been seized under a writ of extente by the Treasury without trial in order to satisfy a disputed claim by them of £150 against a deceased estate; and whether he will see that proceedings are only taken in the usual way and not by a form of writ which is never used except for the recovery of taxes?
§ Mr. HALDANEIt is the fact that the goods of Mrs. Pridgeon have been seized under a writ of extente issued by the Treasury Solicitor on the instruction of the War Office and with the fiat of the Attorney-General. This seizure is only for the purpose of securing the property in the event of the Crown claim being ultimately substantiated. The Crown claim cannot be satisfied by the sale of the property or 1167W otherwise until after trial. Meantime Mrs. Pridgeon is being allowed to continue her business. The claim is disputed by Mrs. Pridgeon, but the War Office have been advised that they have a good claim against her. Their right against Mrs. Pridgeon is quite independent of their right against the deceased's estate which is referred to. It is not the fact that this form of writ is never used except for the recovery of taxes. I do not propose to give any directions in the matter.