The Gazette 1967/71

million centrally controlled accounts and wide duplication of names in the same areas, we have a bigger problem in establishing that a deceased person is in fact a customer for whose savings we are responsible; experience has proved the neces– sity for the precautions we take, in particular questions 1 and 2 and the declaration on the Claim Form. Questions 3 and 4 are needed where a Grant of Representation has not already been produced, but where it has been, and the claimant objects to writing what are then superfluous ans– wers, he can of course omit these two. Question 5 is necessary because of the special status of a nomination under Savings Bank law, and again to assist confirmation of identification of the par– ties. Question 14 is put in because Savings Certi– ficates are dealt with in a section independent of the Savings Bank and liaison can thus be estab– lished and treatment of cases in which both are involved can be expedited. Question 17 is innoc– uous. These are the only questions to be dealt with when a grant has been or is being produced. "Your interest in having the Savings Bank procedures simplified and improved is apprecia– ted; we are concerned to bring this about, as far as is consistent with compliance with the statutes and statutory regulations which govern our opera– tions and with our obligations to safeguard our customers' interests and public monies." [It does appear that the procedure adopted by the Post Office Savings Bank in connection with the repayment of deposits is a lot more trouble– some and cumbersome than the requirements of other lending institutions apparently for the reasons given in the letter from the Director of Savings. Nevertheless it would appear that the balance of public convenience would justify the adoption of a simpler procedure even at the pos– sible risk of occasional mistake. Statistically this risk which is probably minimal could be covered by insurance which would hardly affect the rate of interest.] TUAIRIM COMPETITION Tuairim is a society which seeks to encourage active participation by citizens in public affairs. Its interests run to politics, economics, education, the social sciences and arts. Particularly eager to involve young people in its activities, the Dublin Branch of Tuairim announces its first £100 Award for the best essay of 5,000 words or more, on "The Future of Irish Democracy". The competition is open to all under twenty- five years of age and entrants must be permanently resident in Ireland. No particular treatment of the subject is laid down in the rules and, if of 44

without any regard whatever for an increase in the remuneration of the solicitor concerned in conducting the litigation. We would earnestly request that the Society should examine the posi– tion especially in relation to the instructions fees being presently awarded in the High Court when a comparison will readily show that these instruc– tions fees have not been increased at all in over ten years. Yours faithfully, Haughton and Bowler. Solicitors. Post Office Savings Bank Deposits Proof of Identity a copy of correspondence which passed between Messrs Rutledge Doyle & Co., members of the Society, and the Director of Savings. 28th June 1967 Messrs Rutledge Doyle & Co. to the Director of Savings. "We should like at this stage to protest in the strongest manner at this most cumbersome way the Post Office Savings Bank have of paying a claim of depositors. The Grant of Probate issued under the Seal of the High Court has been already exhibited and the will authenticated showing that the will is the last will of the deceased and the persons therein named are the executors; they having first sworn faithfully to administer the estate. Despite the production of this document an elaborate system of form filling is now required to obtain payment, when in every case from banks of every description, insurance companies and other paying societies, production of the grant is sufficient to have a cheque sent promptly in settlement of the amount standing to deceased's credit. All this unnecessary system which we can only call 'red tape' adds this unnecessary delay and costs. While the Director of Savings makes many appeals for investments in the Post Office Savings Bank, we regret that we cannot be en– thusiastic in so advising any of our clients due to the most cumbersome method of obtaining pay– ment in the case of a deceased depositor. "Surely the time has come to change what must be the remnants of an outmoded earlier system." The following is

19th July 1967/Director of Savings to Rutledge Doyle & Co.

"With regard to your strictures therein, the Savings Bank cannot use the same system as the other institutions you mention because, with 1£