§ MR. LEWIS STARKEYasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, seeing that a sum of not less than £860,000 has been realized to the nation through the instrumentality of the Post Office Savings Banks, some pecuniary grant is not fairly due to Mr. Charles William Sikes, the Chief Originator of the system; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government is prepared to take the matter into its consideration?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHE-QUERSir, the hon. Member describes Mr. C. W. Sikes as the chief originator of the Post Office Savings Banks system. I am informed that although Mr. Sikes did submit some proposals for Post Office Savings Banks, yet his proposals were not adopted; that the present system is one which differs very widely indeed from that which he suggested; and that there is no case for any pecuniary grant to him.
§ MR. LEWIS STARKEYgave Notice that, in consequence of the right hon. Gentleman's Answer, he would call the attention of the House to that subject.