§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary for Mines whether there are any assets of the old Moss Colliery Company at Ashton-under-Lyne; and, in that case, what steps have been taken towards meeting the compensation claims against 582W that concern of miners who were injured during their performance of work in connection with it?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXA receiver for the debenture holders of the New Moss Colliery Company was appointed in October, 1921, and I understand that he has realised the assets of the Company. Under Section 209 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, in a winding-up, the amount not exceeding in any individual case £100 due for compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, ranks for preferential payment provided that the liability accrued before the commencement of the winding-up. By Section 107 of the Companies Act a receiver for debenture holders, if the company is not at the time in course of being wound up, is directed to pay forthwith out of any assets coming into his hands, in priority to any claim for principal or interest, claims which would be entitled to preferential payment in a winding-up. I have no information as to the steps that have been taken towards meeting the claims referred to by my hon. Friend, but inquiries have recently been made as to the present position of the receivership, and I shall be glad to furnish him with any particulars which may come to my knowledge.