§ MR. ANDERSONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If, seeing he has agreed to lend India £2,000,000 without interest or term of payment, he will advance a similar sum on behalf of the City of Glasgow Bank Shareholders at a low rate of interest, conditional on his being satisfied that he will be paid both interest and principal in a reasonable time; conditional also on his being satisfied it could be administered in such a way as to be a substantial benefit to the ruined shareholders, without risk to the Exchequer?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I must own that I do not see the precise connection between the Indian Loan, which is a Governmental arrangement, and the advance suggested by the hon. Member for Glasgow; but I can quite understand the motive which has prompted the hon. Gentleman to ask the Question. I can assure him that there is a great feeling of sympathy on the part of Her Majesty's Government with those unfortunate persons who have suffered by the failure of the City of Glasgow Bank; but, at the same time, it would be quite impossible for the Government to enter into any arrangement of the kind referred to.