§ MR. HICKSasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, seeing that the National Debt (Conversion of Stock) Bill and the Coinage Bill, though mentioned in his Financial Statement of April twenty-fourth have not yet been printed, he will postpone the Notice of the Second Reading of these Bills until such a date as will ensure honourable Members a full opportunity of considering them?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)I have to say that full Notice will be given of the Second Reading of the Coinage and Conversion of Stock Bills. I must express my regret that the Conversion Bill is not yet in the hands of Members. I had hoped that it would have been circulated last Monday; but at the last moment difficult questions have arisen in connection of holdings of Three per Cent Stock by trustees, and it has been necessary to revise carefully the clauses relating to them. I have every hope that the Bill will be circulated either tomorrow afternoon or on Saturday morning. The other Bill will follow.
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONasked whether it would be in Order to discuss in Committee of Ways and Means the proposals of the Government relating to the coinage and to the conversion of Debt, having regard to the fact that two Bills dealing with those subjects were before the House?
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, it would not be in Order.