§ Mr. E. EDWARDSasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been called to the delay in winding up the affairs of the Burrodon and Coxlodge Coal Company, Limited; and whether he proposes to take any action to prevent any such delays in cases arising hereafter;
(2) whether his attention has been called to the delay in winding up the affairs of the Burrodon and Coxlodge Coal Company, Limited, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, whereby a large number of workmen entitled to Workmen's Compensation out of the assets of the said com- 2287W pany have only received an interim payment of 7s. 6d. in the£ made in August, 1930; and whether he will expedite the final distribution of the assets of the company?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI am informed that a receiver and manager was appointed by order of the High Court in November, 1928, and he is, I assume, still in possession. I have no authority to interfere with the administration of the company's affairs by the Receiver, who is subject to the supervision of the Court and not of the Board of Trade. The Receiver has to file his accounts with the Court, and I have no knowledge of the present position. I understand, however, that it is the case that a first dividend of 7s. 6d. in the£ was paid on the Workmen's Compensation claims last August, and that in the late autumn the Receiver was2288W expecting to complete his receivership within three or four months.