Mr. De la Bèreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the attitude of certain branches of the joint stock banks throughout the country, whereby they have forcibly sold securities lodged against an overdraft without permission from the courts, he will give the 212W necessary publicity to ensure that overdraft holders are made aware that they are protected by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, as many clients of the banks are ignorant of this?
§ Sir K. WoodI have no information which suggests that the banks have forcibly sold securities in contravention of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts and I do not think it necessary to take any special steps to add to the publicity which has already been given to the provisions of those Acts. As I have already informed the House, careful inquiries which I have made have satisfied me that the banks are adopting a sympathetic attitude towards borrowers whose circumstances have been adversely affected by the war.