§ VISCOUNT GODERICHsaid, he rose to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the event of the passing of the Savings Banks Bill during the present Session, he would be willing to consent to the appointment of a Select Committee next year, to inquire into and consider the whole state of the law relating to savings banks, with a view to its consolidation and amendment.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, in answer to the question of my noble Friend, I have to state that, in the event of the Savings Banks Bill becoming law during the present Session, I shall be prepared next Session to assent to the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the general state of the law on the subject of savings banks, the constitution of savings banks, the financial question raised by an hon. Gentleman opposite (Sir H. Willoughby), and also whether the entire Statutes relating to savings banks may not be consolidated.
§ MR. HADFIELDDoes the right hon. Gentleman intend to persevere with his Bill?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI intend certainly to proceed with the Bill in this present Session, but I shall move to postpone the Order, which stands for Monday, until Thursday next.
§ SIR HENRY WILLOUGHBYThat will be rather an early day to enable the governing bodies of the different savings banks to meet and consider the question in the interval.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERMy wish is to proceed with the Bill upon the earliest possible day. There is no prospect of my being able to proceed with it on Monday, and I shall there fore move to postpone the order till Thursday.