§ Mr. Parkerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the saving of paper and of time to banks and postal authorities that would occur if he made it obligatory for all purchasers of stocks or shares to state on the transfer whether the dividends should be paid direct to a bank or by post; and whether he will arrange that the transfer will not be valid for registration without this additional declaration?
§ Sir K. WoodI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion, which has been fully considered with other proposals for saving paper and labour. It has been found possible to institute certain improvements; for example, the form of application for new Government Loans includes a request regarding the payment of dividends, and I should welcome any comparable steps which might be taken by companies or other registering authorities to obtain dividend instructions. I fear, however, that for technical reasons, it has not been found possible to adopt the particular suggestion advanced by my hon. Friend.