Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether 593W his attention has been directed to the statement of the Official Receiver that the last balance sheet of the City Equitable Fire Insurance Company as at 28th February, 1921, did not disclose the true position of that company's affairs at that date; who was responsible for the certification of that balance sheet; and what action is the Board of Trade proposing to take in the matter with a view to protecting shareholders in other companies against false, inaccurate, or misleading balance sheets certified by responsible accountants?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. The balance sheet was signed by three of the directors of the company and the general manager. It was certified by the company's auditor. The Official Receiver anticipates that the meetings of creditors and shareholders in the winding-up of the company will be held about the first week in April, by which date he hopes to be able to give information as to the result of his investigation. As regards the last part of the question, I am unable to make any statement at present.