§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) on what date it is anticipated that Mr. J. A. B. Corscadden will notify Mr. and Mrs. W. Pinner, 12 Lapwing Close, Hemel Hempstead, and Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Dundon, 34 Pescot Hill, Hemel Hempstead, on behalf of the Overseas Relatives Reunion Club, of the steps they should take about their claims and related matters referred to in his letter to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead, dated 24th May;
(2) on what date it is estimated that the first meeting of creditors of the Overseas Relatives Reunion Club will be convened; and whether the investigation of that company's affairs has now been completed;
561W(3) on what date and by whom members of the Overseas Relatives Reunion Club were informed of the steps which they should take about claims against the company; how many members of the club are estimated to have claims against it; and when these are likely to be met.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisR. J. Manners Limited, which, I understand, traded in the style of or managed the Overseas Relatives Reunion Club, was wound up by order of the High Court of Justice on 25th April 1977.
Prior to the winding-up order, on the application of R. J. Manners Limited, the court on 30th March 1977 made an order for the continuing employment of Mr. J. A. B. Corscadden, chartered accountant, to act in relation to the company pending the hearing of the petition, and I understand that he circulated all known club members.
The Official Receiver, as provisional liquidator of the company, is required to summon the statutory meetings of creditors and contributories, and he has convened the statutory meeting of creditors to be held on Wednesday 29th June 1977 at 10.30 a.m. at the Grand Hall, Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, London W.C.2. I understand that he despatched notices of the meeting of creditors and forms of proof of debt and proxy to known creditors, including Mr. and Mrs. Pinner and Mr. and Mrs. Dundon, between 14th and 16th June 1977. The documents sent to creditors include instructions and guidance for submission of their claims in the liquidation.
According to present information there may be as many as 15,000 creditors, with claims aggregating £1,150,000, and the unsecured creditors can only hope to receive a small dividend in due course. The realisation and distribution of the assets, and the claims against the company, including those by club members, fall to be dealt with by whoever is the liquidator as a result of the statutory meetings of creditors and contributories, and I regret that it is not possible at present to indicate when the liquidator will be able to pay any dividend.
The Official Receiver's investigations of the affairs of R. J. Manners Limited are continuing.