§ MR. WEDGWOOD (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the number of holders of French Rentes and of English Consols; and the average holding in each case.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE,) Carnarvon BoroughsThe number of accounts open in French Rentes at the close of 1907 was 4,631,857, the average 1776 amount of an account being 4,790 francs. The number of accounts open in Consols in the books of the Bank of England and the Bank of Ireland at the end of March last was 144,398, the average amount of an account being £3,684. There were also 110,714 Stock Certificates outstanding, which represented £47,694,000 Consols, the average amount represented by each certificate being £430.
§ MR. WEDGWOODwas understood to ask if in view of the fact that stock certificates seemed to be more popular with small holders the right hon. Gentleman would, consider the advisability of facilitating their issue?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI will consider that.