§ CAPTAIN O'CONNELLsaid, he wished to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill for the protection of depositors in Savings Banks this Session; and, if he is aware that there is a sum of money in the hands of the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt to the credit of the Trustees of the late Tralee Savings Bank; and, if so, whether they would take steps to have this money paid to the depositors?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, it was no doubt desirable that some legislation should take place for the more effective protection of deposits in the Savings Banks and the interest of depositors, but the state of the public business forbade the Government from entertaining any hopes that it could be passed during the present Session, and therefore they should abstain from introducing it. With regard to the second part of the question, he was quite aware that a sum of money was in the hands of the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, and credit was given to the Trustees. That sum was in the National Debt Office, and could only be withdrawn legally by the Trustees. The Government had no control over that money and no power of acting, while on the other hand the Trustees had shown no willingness to act. He suggested that an application should be made to them on the subject.