§ Sir HAROLD ELVERSTONasked the Secretary to the Treasury what was the Treasury income from fees on administration orders during the last financial year, and what was the proportion of the same to the money paid to creditors; and whether the maximum fee of 2s. in the £ on the total amount of the debt was charged in respect of every order which was made?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe income during the last financial year from fees on administration orders was £14,269. In the same year instalments paid into Court amounted to £69,829, applicable to: (1) Plaintiffs' costs, £2,410; (2) fees, £14,269; and (3) creditors, £53,150, of which £48,269 was paid to creditors, and the remainder awaits distribution so soon as a dividend shall have been declared. It should be added that the fees were wholly expended in registrars' and high bailiffs' remuneration, cost of collection (including the cost of serving and executing 26,709 judgment summonses, 13,541 orders of commitment, 280 commitals to prison, and 30 executions against goods), stationery, printing, and cost of auditing the accounts. The fee is 2s. in the £ in all cases, and is, of course, assessed on every administration order, and is recovered when the instalments paid into Court are sufficient to meet it after payment of judgment creditors' (or plaintiffs') costs.